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How to Attract Frogs

Frogs populations have been hit hard by environmental changes that have seen much of their habitat developed or polluted. These amphibians are not only essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems, they provide excellent natural pest control, too, since they eat insects such as mosquitoes, grasshoppers, moths, caterpillars, beetles, cockroaches, snails, slugs, and flies. Help protect local frog populations while improving your yard or garden by creating an enticing new, safe living space for frogs. All you need to attract them is the proper shelter, food, moisture, and a place to breed. 1. **Provide a shallow, non-moving water source.** Frogs drink and breathe through their skin, which needs to be kept constantly moist in order for them to perform these basic life functions. Thus, the most essential requirement for attracting frogs is an accessible source of fresh water that's out of direct sunlight. If you don't have a pond or other built-in water source in your yard, simply place some large, shallow dishes of water in a shady area of your lawn or garden. Be sure to clean the dish and change the water weekly so that it doesn't stagnate. You could also try sinking a shallow plastic tub into the ground to provide a makeshift pond. Frogs also spawn in water. Ideally, your water source or sources should be large enough to accommodate adult and young frogs. 2. **Give them a shady, damp shelter.** Frogs are generally more active at night since too much exposure to the sun puts them at risk of dehydration. Create a simple shelter for frogs that will offer them a safe, cave-like space to rest during the day. It should be out of the sun and predators' reach. You can create a simple shelter using an overturned ceramic pot propped up by some rocks. Place it in a shady location near to a water source, and leave just enough room between the rim of the pot and the earth for frogs to slip in and out. 3. **Plant to attract insects.** If you want frogs to show up in your yard or garden, you need to provide them with adequate food. The best way to do that is plant a range of seasonal flowering plants that will attract insects throughout the year. Aim to always have something in bloom during the spring, summer, and fall. That way, nectar-eating bugs will flock to your yard. 4. **Keep a compost heap and mulch the beds in your garden.** The bugs that are attracted to a compost heap and mulch also make great food for frogs. Compost and mulch can also provide the damp conditions where frogs love to live. Do not remove leaf litter from some areas in your yard. Leaf litter provides shelter for frogs and some of their prey also prefers areas with leaf litter. 5. **Choose a good spot.** It should be a partially shaded corner of your yard. Ponds need some direct sunlight to be a healthy environment. However, frogs prefer shaded environments for breeding and shelter from the sun. 6. **Dig a shallow hole.** Frog ponds can be as wide as you want, but they should be no more than a foot (or about 30 cm) deep. Be sure that your hole has shallow edges in it so that the frogs can enter and leave easily. Remove any roots, sticks, or stones that could damage the liner. Frogs thrive best in shallow, non-moving water and are surprisingly susceptible to drowning in deeper water. If you don't have tapering edges to your pool, you'll need to provide some sort of incline. Frogs need a gently sloping exit, like a slab of rock, so they can easily get out of the water. If you would like your pond to be a specific shape, mark out the edges with a piece of rope before digging. If you're digging up your lawn, keep the pieces of turf to help you secure the pond's edges. 7. **Line the hole.** To keep the water in, you'll need a rubber or plastic pond liner. To protect the liner in the long-term, it's also a good idea to first insert a protective underlay between the plastic and the dirt to cushion the liner. The easiest way to line your pond is to purchase a flexible or rigid plastic pond liner. However, any thick, durable plastic sheeting will do. Make sure that your liner is big enough to cover the entirety of your pond with a least two feet (about 60 cm) of excess on all sides. Ponds can also be lined with concrete, but you will need to treat it to ensure that lime does not leach into the water. 8. **Secure the pond's perimeter.** Weigh down the plastic sheet around the edges of your pond with closely-packed rocks, and/or ring it with the pieces of turf you kept from digging the hole where your pond would go. Either way, make sure your perimeter is heavy and big enough to keep the liner in place. Once you've secured the pond's perimeter, you can cut away any excess liner. 9. **Let the pond fill with water.** Ideally, you should let your pond fill with rainwater rather than filling it from the hose or tap. You can speed up that process by collecting rain in buckets to add to the pond. 10. **Add a bucket of natural pond water.** If you mix in a bucket-full of water taken from a local marsh or pond, it will introduce millions of microscopic organisms that can jump-start your pond's ecosystem. They will infuse the water with oxygen, making it more livable and appealing to native frogs in your area. You can also try planting a few native water plants in your pond to attract local frogs. Just make sure that the plants don't overtake the whole pond and choke other wildlife out. 11. **Give frogs cover.** At least one edge of the pond should be thickly vegetated with leafy plants that grow well in your area. Plant grasses and leafy perennials around the edges of the pond to provide frogs with adequate shade, dampness, and protection. If you are looking to attract local species, it's a good idea to stick to native plants when planting around your pond. Pick a selection of native grasses, clumping plants (like ferns and lilies), and ground cover (like shrubs and vines) to grow around your frog pond. 12. **Wait for frogs to colonize your yard or garden.** Keep in mind that it may take a couple years for frogs to populate your garden, even after you have created a suitable environment for them. If attracting frogs takes longer than you would like, you can try seeding your pond with tadpoles in the spring. Make sure you use a type of tadpole that is native to your area. 13. **Avoid using chemicals** Frogs are especially susceptible to poisoning from pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, and other common garden chemicals because their hydration and respiration takes place through their porous skin. If you want to attract a healthy frog population, start by using organic gardening practices. Instead of using synthetic fertilizer, encourage growth through picking nutrient-rich soils that are appropriate to each plant, rotating your crops to keep your soil rich, and using organic fertilizer when necessary. Keep in mind that once you've attracted frogs, you shouldn't have any need of chemical pesticides since a single frog will consume more than 10,000 bugs a season. 14. **Keep out invasive species.** You want to attract the right kind of frogs. Non-native frogs will compete with local ones for food and shelter. Sometimes they'll even eat local species. Their populations are also generally difficult to control because they have no natural predators. Identify the species of frogs in your yard or garden to be sure that they're not invasive. Invasive.org has a list of dangerous non-native wildlife that can be searched by animal type and region. If you do find invasive species of frogs in your yard or garden, contact your local government environmental agency, like your state's DNR, or a nonprofit conservation group, like the National Wildlife Federation, for advice and support about how to remove them responsibly. 15. **Keep your grass short.** Frogs like to hide in tall grass and are frequent victims of lawn mowers. Be sure that you can see any rogue amphibians in your path by keeping the grass in your yard or garden well-trimmed. 16. **Thaw water sources when necessary.** Most male frogs hibernate in water over the winter. A thin layer of ice will not harm them. However, if their water source is completely frozen, they won't survive. Protect any dormant amphibians by putting a pan of hot water over thickening ice. 17. **Avoid plants that are toxic to frogs.** Many flowers and vegetables are poisonous to frogs. Protect the amphibian population in your yard or garden by either not planting species that are toxic to them or by planting them well away from your intended frog habitat. Vegetables that are dangerous for frogs include eggplant, rhubarb, snow peas, and potatoes. Flowers that are toxic to frogs include honeysuckle, azaleas, hydrangeas, daffodils, and hyacinth. 18. **Keep an outdoor light on at night.** Tree frogs love to eat the moths and insects that are attracted to light sources. Keep a garden light on for part or all of the night in order to create an irresistible feeding spot for them. 19. **Don't trim your trees.** You can provide tree frogs with natural habitat by avoiding trimming back bushes and tree branches near water or food sources. Keeping your trees and shrubs leafy and full will give frogs plenty of cover. It will also provide them with good hunting grounds. 20. **Make a ground home for tree frogs.** Tree frogs won't gather in normal frog abodes on the ground; give them an alternative with a bit of height. Get a piece of PVC piping that's about 5 feet long. Drive it into the ground so that roughly half of the pipe is left exposed. Place the PVC pipe about a foot from the base of a tree that's near a water source. Water may gather in the bottom of the pipe, but it should be absorbed by the underlying ground before it reaches a dangerous depth. PVC pipe is available from most home improvement stores. 21. **Hang frog refuges in a tree.** Cut standard schedule-20 PVC piping into pieces that are about 2 feet in length. Cap the bottom-side of the pipe, and drill a hole about 3 or 4 inches above the capped bottom so that water can both gather and escape from the refuge. Drill two holes on one side of the top of each pipe. String the holes with heavy fishing line, and tie the refuges around a tree. If possible, pick a tree that's near a water source since that's the place where frogs are most likely to congregate naturally. Keep the PVC refuges at a height that is easy for you to reach. Take the caps off at least once a month so that water doesn't stagnate in the bottom of them.

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How to Tell if You Are in Love

If you're wondering about whether or not you're in love, there are several ways to tell. The biological processes behind love cause physical side effects as well as subtle changes in your behavior. Paying close attention to yourself and how you interact with your partner can help you tell if you're in love. 1. **Take stock of your opinion on your partner.** Obviously, examining how you feel about your partner can help you tell if you're in love. However, it's not always in ways you would consider. In addition to considering traditional factors like butterflies in your stomach, take note of how you feel about him or her as a person. Do you think your partner is special? When in love, people tend to magnify positive qualities of another person while ignoring or overlooking the negative. You should think your partner is somehow objectively special and stands out from other people. Do you find yourself missing your partner a lot when you're apart, even for short periods? When people are in love, especially in the early stages, they want to be together all the time. How much you miss a person can relate to how fond you are of him or her. Think about how much you miss your partner. This can be a strong indicator of whether or not you're in love. Do you like your partner as a person? It sounds strange, but many people have lustful relationships that seem like romantic love with people they don't really like. When you're in love, you should think your partner has a desirable personality. An underlying friendship, or at least mutual liking, is an important predecessor to love. 2. **Consider whether you support your partner's success.** You should genuinely want your partner to succeed if you're in love. If you're in love with someone, you'll find yourself thrilled for his or her personal triumphs. People often feel inferior in the face of the accomplishments of others, even close friends, but what's different about romantic love is that you don't feel this sense of inferiority when your partner succeeds. Even if you have not been successful or have suffered recent failures, you will still feel happiness at your partner's success. This is one way that romantic partners feel connected. Your partner's success should almost feel like your own. 3. **Ask yourself if your partner factors into your decisions.** When in love, people are more likely to base decisions around their partners. This doesn't just apply to major decisions, like whether to take a job or move to a new city. Even minor decisions may be based around your partner's tastes. When in love, even daily priorities will make you think of your partner. When you get dressed in the morning, for example, you might find yourself picking an outfit you think your partner would like on you. You'll find yourself willing to experience new things based on your partner's interest. For example, you may suddenly want to go hiking if your partner enjoys it even though you're not normally an outdoors person. You may want to listen to music and watch movies outside the realm of your usual tastes just because your partner is interested in them. 4. **Think about your future.** When you're in love, you'll feel in it for the long term. When you dream about your own future, like a new job or moving to a new city, you will likely incorporate your partner into those dreams in some ways. If you want children, do you think about children with your partner? Do you consider whether he or she would be a good parent? Can you imagine having kids with another person or only with your partner? Have the two of you discussed children or the future? If so, it might be love. Do you think about growing old with your partner? Do you like the idea of the two of you aging side-by-side? Do you imagine distant things, like retirement and 50th anniversaries? When you make big decisions for your own future, does your partner factor in? Can you not picture moving to a new city or taking a new job without your partner's support or presence? 5. **Consider how you feel about your partner's flaws.** While you magnify positive qualities during the early stages of love, eventually you will realize your partner is flawed. How you feel about his or her flaws can be an indicator of whether or not you're in love. If you're comfortable admitting your partner has flaws, and can accept him or her despite them, this is a good sign. The idea of your partner as perfect only lasts so long and you should be able to accept bad qualities as well as good ones. Being able to accept negative things about your partner may help you stay committed to him or her. Are you able to talk to your partner about his or her flaws? Can the two of you laugh about them? Do you want to help your partner deal with his or her flaws if they're getting in the way of success? If you're invested in making your partner the best version of him or herself, this is a sign it may be love. 6. **See if the two of you compromise.** When people are in love, they're willing to compromise. When you and your partner disagree, you should be able to reach decisions that are mutually beneficial to both of you. Love means wanting another person to feel comfortable and happy, so if you're in love you must be willing to compromise. 7. **See if you want others to like your partner.** When you're in love with someone, you'll be invested in the impression they make on friends and family members. See how you feel when your partner meets people close to you. How much do you care whether they like this person? Your social circle plays a big role in the success of your romantic relationship. Even if you really like someone, if your family or friends do not this creates tension. Therefore, if you're in love you'll be heavily infested in how your partner is perceived by others. If you find yourself paying close attention to how your friends and family members act around your partner, this is a good sign. It means you're invested in the success of the relationship and you may be in love. 8. **Consider how you experience jealousy.** Jealousy is actually a healthy component to a romantic relationship. However, how you experience jealousy is important. Evolutionarily speaking, jealousy makes sense. It means you're suspicious of potential threats which means you're committed to the success of your relationship. If you're in love, you may find yourself getting jealous of your partner's interactions with other people and feel somewhat possessive when you're out in public. However, jealousy can become toxic if it manifests itself in suspicion. Distrust is a sign you may not really be in love. Do you feel the need to check your partner's text messages and emails? If so, you might want to reevaluate your relationship. 9. **Ask friends and family members whether you've changed.** When you're in love, you'll find yourself changing. Small things, like your tastes, as well as big matters, like your life priorities, will alter when you're with your partner. When you're in love, you'll take on new characteristics. You'll find yourself developing different tastes and things like your sense of humor and style may change slightly. You may not feel this difference, however, as it happens somewhat subtly. Ask people close to you, such as friends and family members, whether they've noticed you changing. Is your personality, tastes, or style at all different than it was when the relationship began? If the answer is yes, you may be in love. 10. **See if you feel like you can express yourself.** If you're in love with someone, you should feel loved in return. Many people describe feeling in love as feeling that another person understands them. If this is the case, you should have no trouble expressing yourself around your partner. Do you feel like you can talk about yourself and your problems without fear of judgment? Can you bring up negative emotions you're feeling, even selfish ones, without feeling your partner will think any less of you? Do you feel like you can disagree with your partner, even on big matters? If you have different religious or political beliefs, for example, do you feel your partner respects your beliefs even when not sharing them ? Are you comfortable being yourself around your partner? Can you use your own sense of humor, laugh, cry, and experience the full range of emotions around him or her? 11. **Consider whether you feel happy around your partner.** While this might seem obvious, many people will realize they're not actually their happiest around their partner. While your partner should not be the only thing that brings you joy, you should experience excitement and genuine pleasure in his or her presence. Not every day needs to be absolutely thrilling, but you should look forward to seeing your partner and always find the two of you have fun together. Even little things, like watching television, can be made more enjoyable by your partner's presence. This doesn't mean that you're blissfully happy every second of the time you two are together. Such an expectation isn't realistic; relationships are work, even between highly compatible people, and sometimes conflicts and disagreements happen. However, research suggests that the ratio of positive to negative experiences in successful relationships is about 20:1. Basically, you should feel happy in your partner's presence more often than not. Feeling consistently unhappy or distressed around your partner is one sign of a problematic relationship. 12. **Monitor your mental response.** Your brain secretes three chemicals, phenethylamine, dopamine, and oxytocin, when you begin to fall in love. These chemicals have a major effect on your emotional behavior. Dopamine in particular is associated with your brain's "reward" pathways, meaning feeling "in love" is something your brain enjoys and wants to experience more of. During the initial phases of love, you may notice a heightened mood, high self-esteem, and a tendency to do things that are out of the ordinary for you. For example, you may be inspired to perform grand romantic gestures like buying expensive gifts. You may also find yourself preoccupied, constantly checking your phone, e-mail, or social media pages to see if this person has reached out to you in any way. You may also experience certain negative emotions. You may have a heightened fear of rejection and experience sudden moods. You may replay key moments over and over, worrying that your first kiss wasn't quite right or that you said something that sounds silly at dinner. The mental response behind love can cause acute feelings of longing. If you feel acute longing, even after short periods apart, you may be in love. 13. **Watch for physical changes.** Due to the chemicals released by the brain during love, there are a number of physical responses as well. It might be love if you experience any of the following: Increased energy Loss of appetite Trembling A racing heart Difficulty breathing 14. **Be aware of your physical desires.** Physically, you will experience desire for your partner. This should not be solely in the form of sexual desire but also manifested in a desire for touching and cuddling throughout the day. Oxytocin is what drives your physical needs when you're in love. It's sometimes referred to as the cuddling hormone. You'll find yourself wanting to kiss, cuddle, and touch your partner throughout the day. You'll want to have a heavy amount of physical contact with this person at all times. While sex is an important component to falling in love with someone, it likely will not be the most important factor. Most people in love find that an emotional connection with their partner is more important than a merely sexual one. If you're in love, you will feel like your relationship is more than just sex.

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How to Grow a Beard Faster

If you're eager to grow a glorious beard, it's hard to accept that it simply takes time. In reality, your genetic profile is the most important (and unchangeable) factor in how fast your beard will grow. There are things you can do to potentially speed up the process a bit, though. Take care of your beard as it grows, follow a beard-healthy lifestyle, and talk to your doctor if your beard needs additional help. And, above all, be patient, and don’t stress! 1. **Be patient and let your facial hair grow.** Your genetic profile is the primary factor in how quickly (and how fully) your beard grows, and there’s not much you can do about that. On average, though, most people will see their facial hair fully grow in after 4 weeks of not shaving.While you can take measures to support the process and increase the growth, you should also accept that your beard will grow in its own way and at its own pace. Some people say that regularly trimming your beard will stimulate faster growth, but there’s no evidence to support this. It’s possible that frequent shaving before you start growing a beard may stimulate the hair follicles to grow faster, but the evidence for this is also limited at best. So, once you start growing a beard, just let it grow! 2. **Wash your face twice per day to unblock hair follicles.** Wet your face with warm water. If you haven’t started your beard yet, massage in a gentle face cleanser. If you do have a beard coming in, also use a mild shampoo on just the facial hair. Rinse the cleanser and/or shampoo away with cool, clean water, then pat your face dry with a soft towel. Do this every morning and evening. Washing your face regularly will help to remove dirt and oil from your hair follicles. This makes it easier for them to grow. To test if a cleanser is gentle enough for your skin, apply a small amount to your chin and leave it for 10 minutes. If you don't have any signs of a reaction (like redness or irritation), you can try washing your face with the cleanser. 3. **Massage your face** Apply firm but not painful pressure on your face with your fingertips, then massage in small circles over your beard-growing area. Do the massage for about 10 minutes, twice per day. 4. **Exfoliate your face** Wash your face as normal with your gentle cleanser or shampoo, but rinse with warm water and leave your skin damp. Gently massage in the exfoliant over your entire face (including any facial hair), then rinse it away completely with clean water and pat your face dry. Exfoliating will help to clear away skin cells that may be stopping your hair follicles from achieving their full growth potential. Before using an exfoliant on your entire face, test a small patch on your chin for 5-10 minutes. If you don’t feel any burning or irritation, you should be good to go. 5. **Pamper your growing beard with beard oil or softener.** While you should be wary of any product claims made for stimulating beard growth, beard oils and beard softeners may, in fact, provide some benefits. Keeping your beard hairs soft and hydrated may encourage slightly faster growth. Avoid beard oil if you have acne, though. It may worsen your breakouts. At the very least, using beard products will make your beard look and feel better, no matter how fast it’s growing. 6. **Try homemade beard-stimulating recipes.** As with most home remedies, the supporting evidence for beard stimulators is limited at best. They aren’t likely to cause any harm, though, so consider trying one or both of the following: Create a thin paste out of 1 US tbsp (15 ml) of fresh-squeezed lime juice and 1 US tbsp (15 g) of ground cinnamon. Apply it to your beard in a thin layer, leave it for 20-30 minutes, then rinse it away and use your normal face cleanser. Use this paste 1-2 times per day, but stop if you notice any irritation. Blend 3 US tbsp (45 g) of dried mustard leaves with 2  fl oz (59 ml) of amla oil until it forms a smooth paste. Apply it in a thin layer over your beard, leave it for 15-20 minutes, then rinse it away and wash your face with your normal cleanser. Refrigerate any remaining paste and use it daily for 2-3 days. 7. **Eat more foods with vitamins B3, B5, B7, and B9.** Several of the B vitamins promote healthy hair, so upping your intake may help your beard grow a bit faster and fuller. Biotin (Vitamin B7) seems particularly beneficial, so you may want to consult your doctor about taking a biotin supplement as well. Nuts are a great source of biotin (Vitamin B7). You’ll find vitamins B3 and B5 in chicken, beef, fish, dairy, and avocados. You can get Vitamin B9 from cereals, nuts, and leafy greens. 8. **Increase your intake of vitamins A, C, and E.** Like the B vitamins, each of these vitamins supports healthy hair in some fashion. They’re also important for your overall health. Eat carrots, broccoli, and leafy greens for Vitamin A. Choose green peppers, tomatoes, and citrus for Vitamin C. Pick beans, nuts, and leafy greens for Vitamin E. 9. **Eat** While it may be helpful to target key vitamins, make sure you focus on eating a healthy diet that provides a wide variety of nutrients. Think of it this way—whatever is good for your body is good for your beard! Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (like avocados and olive oil). Cut back on processed foods, excess salt and sugar, and unhealthy fats (like saturated and trans fats in processed foods). Drink water to hydrate your body and your beard hair follicles. 10. **Follow health guidelines for exercise and sleep.** Like eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise and enough sleep are good for your overall health and your beard health. Aim for the following: Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week. Moderate intensity means your heart rate is elevated and you’re breathing hard enough that it’s tough to make conversation. Do 2-3 strength training sessions per week, each for 30-60 minutes. Get roughly 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. 11. **Reduce stress** You’ve probably heard that excessive stress can cause hair loss. It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that it might also slow down hair growth. That means the less you worry about your beard, the better it might grow! Find the stress reduction techniques that work best for you. Try things like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, nature walks, listening to calming music, talking to friends, or reading a good book. Work with your doctor and a mental health professional if you're having significant difficulty handling stress. 12. **Stop smoking** There’s no direct evidence that smoking is specifically bad for beard health. However, smoking is clearly bad for so many aspects of your overall health that it's not unreasonable to think it may hinder beard growth. Whether you're trying to grow a beard or not, focus on quitting as soon as possible. There are numerous smoking cessation aids available today. Work with your doctor to find the right method (or combination of methods) for you. There is some evidence that smoking may cause your beard hair to turn gray faster. 13. **Seek medical advice regarding your testosterone and DHT levels.** Testosterone can be broken up into 2 types, often referred to as T and DHT. DHT levels impact beard hair density, while T impacts beard hair thickness. Managing T and DHT levels under medical supervision may enhance your beard growth. Do not use testosterone-boosting pills, creams, injections, or other products without the advice and guidance of your doctor. There can be a range of unwanted side effects, and you could end up impeding beard growth. Your doctor may recommend engaging in regular strength-training sessions as a way to naturally boost testosterone levels. 14. **Talk to your doctor about using minoxidil (Rogaine) on your face.** Rogaine, the most common brand name for minoxidil, is widely used to slow the progress of male pattern baldness. If applied to the face properly, it should help stimulate beard growth. However, even though Rogaine is available over the counter in many areas, you should always consult your doctor before using it on your face. This may be a better treatment option if you have patches where your beard doesn’t grow in well, as opposed to wanting your entire beard to grow in faster. If and when you stop treatment, any new hair growth may fall out. 15. **Ask a medical expert about micro-needling to stimulate hair growth.** Microneedling involves rolling a device on your face that’s similar to a lint roller—except instead of sticky paper on the roller, it has hundreds of tiny needle points. Some advocates for micro-needling believe the tiny pinpricks stimulate the hair follicles and enhance beard growth. Some dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons use in-office micro-needling to address issues like acne. Talk to a medical professional you trust before undergoing micro-needling treatments or buying a device yourself. If used correctly, the process should be safe and relatively painless. However, it’s essential that the device is sanitized properly before each use according to the product instructions (usually by soaking it in alcohol). 16. **Look into facial hair transplants as a final option.** If there are areas of your beard that simply won’t grow in, hair transplants may be your only choice. As with top-of-the-head hair transplants, individual hair follicles are relocated from one area (like the back of the neck) to another (like your cheek). Hair transplants usually require multiple procedures that are both costly and time-consuming. It may take up to 2 years to see the full results, and the procedure doesn’t always work. Transplants may help fill in gaps in your beard, but it won’t make your beard grow faster.

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How to Get a Baby in Tomodachi Life

OK, you have a married couple in Tomodachi Life. Now you want a baby. Having babies on Tomodachi Life can be a great way to create more excitement in the game. This wikiHow shows you how to obtain one. 1. **Check Baby Settings are on.** Go to the Town Hall, and access your game's settings. The Town Hall is found between the houses and apartments on the map, and is represented by a blue icon. Tap the icon twice, or tap it once, then tap Enter. When you enter, select Options, found on the bottom right of the screen, with a silhouette of a spanner. Select Baby Settings and make sure it says "ON", otherwise no babies will be born on the island. If it says "OFF", change it so it says "ON". By default Baby Settings will be on, so unless you have changed them, there is no need to worry, but it's worth checking anyway. 2. **Wait for the pink heart to show through the home/married Mii's window.** They'll wonder if they want a baby. Select the first option, which should mean yes. A Mii will be more likely to want a baby if they are close to their spouse. Giving travel tickets is a great way to improve their relationship. Only married Miis will want babies. To get two Miis married, see Get Married in Tomodachi Life. Make sure to save the game after making the decision. If you select "It's too soon.", the Mii will say "I guess you're right." and their happiness won't be affected. If you select "You should.", their happiness will increase. 3. **Wait.** The baby is born two to three days after deciding. For some it's longer, others it's shorter. The player's cell-phone will ring, and one of the Miis will tell them they had a baby. This will happen at any point when you are viewing the town map. It will not happen if you are viewing a location. You don't need to give a Mii a phone for them to have a baby. 4. **Choose the gender.** You will be asked if you'd prefer it to be a boy or girl. You can either select Girl, Boy, or I don't mind which.. If you select Girl or Boy, you will always get the one you prefer. If you select I don't mind which., there is an even chance of it being a boy or girl. Consider the gender ratio of your island (which you can find out at your apartment's office), seeing as Tomodachi Life only has heterosexual relationships, an even 50/50 ratio means that each Mii could have a partner. 5. **See how the baby looks.** The baby is usually a hybrid between the two parents, meaning it will have physical traits of both parents. You will be asked if the baby looks the way you expected. If you want, you can change the baby's appearance. Change it to however you want! If you edit the baby as it's born, its hair won't grow as the baby grows. If you leave it as it is, it will grow. Once the Mii has grown up, you can change their appearance again. 6. **Choose a name.** You can say, "OK," to the name they suggest, ask for another name, or suggest one yourself. If you ask for another name, they will keep suggesting more, until you are happy with one. By suggesting a name yourself, you can try out a name for the baby. When the baby grows up, this will be its nickname. It cannot be changed until then. When suggesting a name yourself, be aware that it won't accept potentially sensitive language. 7. **Decide on their traits.** You can select, "Just like Dad" (in UK, "Just like daddy"), "Just like Mom" ("Just like mummy") "Hmm" ("Give a detailed explanation"), or, "Who knows!" ("Leave it to nature"). If you choose to make their personality "Just like Dad/Mom", it will mean their personality will be exactly like that parent. Giving a detailed explanation, means that you can choose exactly how you want their personality to be. Leaving it to nature, will create a random personality. You can change their personality once the Mii has grown up. Once this is over, you will go back outside, viewing your island. 8. **Rock the newborns as if you were a cradle.** If you babysit yourself and you anger the baby, the parents will get upset. If they wanted your help and you can't make the baby happy, you can give up. You still receive a prize. If you win, you also get a prize. This will always be a gift, such as a mobile, travel ticket, or hair colour spray. 9. **Play with a one to three day old Mii.** Pat/tickle them on the head, face or body to make them sleep or happy. You can also select Peekaboo, in the top right-hand corner. Once again, giving up you will still get a prize; doing it wrong you won't, and cheering up the baby you get a prize. Patting/tickling the baby when they are still startled from the peekaboo is a good way to cheer them up. 10. **Offer to babysit the child in its toddler phase.** When they're finally toddlers, you won't be called to babysit anymore, but you can still offer to babysit them. This time you must spin them around in the yard. If you spin them too fast, they will be dizzy and you won't get a prize. 11. **Wait for a phone call.** The baby will eventually grow up to the point of where they can move out. You will get a phone call from one of parents at some point while viewing the island map. You can see how grown-up the baby is by viewing them in the house. The baby has three stars of growth before it's fully-grown. 12. **You can have them become a traveler or stay on the island and get an apartment room.** Travelers travel around other islands and camp there, sending feedback to their parents. If the Mii stays on the island, they will be treated like any other Mii, and can even have relationships and children of their own. Once you've made your choice, there is no undoing it. So, be careful, and enjoy the child! If the Mii lives on the island, it will say on their relationships page who their parents and siblings are. A traveler can visit islands of any StreetPass encounters you have, who have Tomodachi Life. You can have a maximum of 100 islanders living on your island, and a maximum of 50 explorers on your island. 13. **View their records at the Town Hall.** Visit the town hall, and select Kid Info. You can view a montage of the kid growing up, and you can see travelers' records.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Baby-in-Tomodachi-Life", "language": "en"}

How to Make Stilts

Stilts are a great way to add a few feet you your height. Whether you need to get something off the top shelf, or just like the fun of it, stilts are not that hard to build. As long as you have some basic tools, some wood, and plastic piping, you can make stilts in a few hours. 1. **Cut your two foot beds.** These will be trapezoid pieces of wood which will hold your feet. Get a piece of 1/2 inch plywood, and draw two triangles using a pencil. The triangles should have the following dimensions: 10 inch base, two 8 inch sides (use a ruler). It is best to use the edge of the plywood as the 10 inch base, that way one side of the triangle is already smooth and sanded. Use a table saw to cut out the two triangles. When you have them cut out, measure down 1 inch from where the two 8 inch sides meet (top point). Make a mark one inch down on both of the 8 inch sides. Connect these two points using a pencil and a ruler. Take your table saw out again and cut along the line. Make sure you do this to both triangles. Finally, take a piece of sand paper and smooth over the edges. You should now have two trapezoid shapes with 10 inch bases, and 7 inch sides (triangle with the top cut off). 2. **Make your legs and support beams.** Purchase two 48-inch 2X2 boards at your local hardware store. Lay the boards down on a flat surface. Mark the middle point of each of the two boards (24 inches) with a ruler and pencil. Use a table saw to cut the boards along the mark you just created. You should now have four pieces of 2X2 wood, each 24 inches long. 3. **Line your four 2X2 boards flush with one another.** Do this so that the four long sides are next to one another. Use a clamp to press the boards together to make the next few steps easier. Go to one end of your four boards. Make a mark 1 inch down and 5 inches down on one of the boards using a pencil and ruler. Do this again on another one of the boards. Take your ruler and line up the two 1 inch marks. Draw a line connecting them which runs across all four boards. Take your ruler and line up the two 5 inch marks. Draw a line connecting them which runs across all four boards. On two of your boards, draw an extra dash 6 inches down the board. 4. **Lay your boards on top, together.** Take two boards (one with the 6 inch mark and one without). Lay the 6 inch marked board on the table, with the pencil lines facing up. Take the board without the 6 inch mark and turn it around 180 degrees. Lay it on top of the bottom board, also with the pencil lines facing up. The edge of the top piece should lay right on the 6 inch line of the bottom board. The 1 and 5 inch marks of both boards should run parallel with one another. Note: there is only 6 inches of total overlapping board. Clap these two boards together in between the 1 and 5 inch marks of the top board. 5. **Drill holes into your boards.** Make a mark between the 1 and 5 inch marks of the top board. Since they are 2X2 boards, the middle of those lines should be 1 inch. Take a drill and make a hole on those two middle marks. Drill all the way down until you go through both boards. Make sure that you are doing this on a sturdy work bench as you don't want to drill down and damage a nice table. Once you have drilled the holes, lay down a washer over each hole and then slide 4 1/2 inch bolts into each of the holes. Take off the clamp once the bolts are all the way through. 6. **Take out one trapezoid piece.** This is the piece you cut earlier. Place it underneath the two connected 2X2 boards so that the short edge of the trapezoid is parallel with the edge of the top board. Take out a hammer and gently tap on each of the bolts. This will make two marks on the trapezoid where you will drill holes into. Separate the trapezoid from the other boards. Use your drill to drill holes where the two marks are. Place the trapezoid back underneath the boards in the same position, only this time feed the bolts through the two holes you just drilled. Put two washers on the ends of the bolts (side of the trapezoid) and then place a nut on each of the bolts. Use a wrench to tighten and secure the nuts all he way down to the face of the trapezoid. 7. **Make a footbed.** Use the table saw to cut another piece of plywood that is 10 inches long and 4 inches wide. Smooth over the edges using a piece of sandpaper. Flip your attached 2X2 boards around so that the trapezoid is facing up. Place the flat side of the board against the long, 10-inch edge of the trapezoid and the 2X2 board it is parallel with. Drill a hole through the rectangle down into the board underneath. Then take a 2 inch screw and place it in the hole. Use a screwdriver to attach the rectangle to the underlying board. You can add as many screws as you would like for added durability. Add a screw to each of the side of the rectangle where only the trapezoid is underneath. Always pre-drill the holes so that the plywood doesn't split. 8. **Adjust the stilts to your leg length.** Bend your knee so it's at a 90° angle. Measure from 1 1/2 inches below your knee to the floor. Label this length Z. Measure length Z from your footing, up the length of the stilt. Make a mark using a pencil. Then, take your table saw and cut at this mark. Doing this will make sure the stilts will be suited to your particular leg length. 9. **Create some upper leg supports.** Purchase plastic piping from your nearby hardware store. The piping should have a 4-5 inch diameter. Once you have purchased the pipe, mark 3 inches down from the edge of the pipe. The pipe should have grooves which will allow you do draw a line all the way around the pipe 3 inches down. You should use a Sharpie or magic marker to make the line. Take your table saw and cut along this marker line. You can also use scissors if your plastic piping is thin enough 10. **Cut the piping in half.** Cut your 3-inch pipe piece in half along the top (not the side) with a table saw. One of these halves will go on one stilt, while the other half will go on the other stilt. Take one of the halves and place it above the footing, about 1 inch from the top of the stilt, so the pipe curls inward. Pre-drill two holes into the pipe, halfway through the 2X2 inch board. Place nails into each of the holes and screw them in using a screwdriver. Make sure to add the piping to the other stilt as well. 11. **Grab a pair of old shoes.** It's best to use shoes that are rather thin. Place each shoe on the appropriate footing and clamp the shoes down to secure them. Take out your drill and drill 3-4 holds through the inside-bottom of the shoe into the footing below. Make sure not to drill holes through the heel, which could make it uncomfortable to stand in. Place a screw in each of your holds you just drilled. Take a screwdriver and screw each of them all the way into your footing. Wiggle your shoe slightly to make sure that it is secure. You don't want it to slip off when you stand up in them. 12. **Attach one-wrap velcro.** Drill a hole into each of your stilts on the upper part of the backside stilt boards. This hole should be in the middle of the plastic pipe, but on the reverse side. Then, cut a piece of one-wrap velcro that is about 2 inches longer than the circumference of your calf. Take the end of the strap of velcro and place it overtop the pre-drilled hole. Then place a fender washer overtop of the overlap. Drill again through to the pre-drilled hole to make a hole through the velcro. Place a wood screw into the hole, and screw it in using a screwdriver. Make sure that both stilts get a piece of velcro. 13. **Put the stilts on your legs.** It is best to sit high-up, like on a bar stool, when you put your stilts on. Also, make sure that the stool is next to a higher structure, such as the edge of your house, or a fence, so that when you stand you have something to hold onto. Sit on the stool and put on each of the stilts on one at a time. Place your foot in the appropriate stilt. Slide it into the shoe and tie the shoe. Then, wrap the velcro around your leg tightly, and attach it around (the velcro sticks to itself). You do not want to wrap too tightly, otherwise you could lose circulation. 14. **Practice walking around with your stilts.** Get out of your stool and stand up on your stilts, as you lean against a taller structure (fence, house, etc.) Walk back and forth slowly, holding onto the structure, to get used to how they feel. Once you feel comfortable enough, let your hands go, but continue to walk near the tall structure in case you fall. It is best to have an extra person nearby to catch you if you fall in the opposite direction. After you have mastered walking near your structure, begin to venture out. Continue to have someone follow you just in case you fall. It is best to walk around in your yard, in case the worst happens your fall won't hurt so bad. 15. **Take your stilts off.** Once you are done walking around, sit back down on the stool. Undo the velcro strips, and step out of the shoes. You are now free to decorate your stilts if you would like. Add a coat of paint to them or stain the wood to protect it from moisture. You can even add stickers or pen designs. The possibilities are endless, and all up to you!

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Stilts", "language": "en"}

How to Learn the Basics of Shii‐Cho

Shii-Cho, also known as Form I, the Way of the Sarlacc, or the Determination form, is one of the seven forms of lightsaber combat. It was mastered by swordmaster Cin Drallig. With dedication and practice, you can learn this form yourself. Read on to get started. 1. **There are six zones of attack used to describe the moves in lightsaber combat.** These are: Zone 1 - the head Zones 2 and 3 - the right and left arms and sides, respectively. Also refers to the right and left sides of the front torso. Zone 4 - the torso, specifically the back. Zones 5 and 6 - the right and left legs, respectively. 2. **Zone 1 - a horizontal parry, in front of or above the head.** Zones 2 and 3 - a vertical parry, with the lightsaber handle held near the chest or waist, and the blade pointing upwards. Less commonly, a drop parry (blade points downwards) with the handle held near the head. Zone 4 - a drop parry with the handle held behind the head. Zones 5 and 6 - a drop parry with the handle held near the waist. 3. **So a zone 1 attack is a (usually downwards) vertical stroke.** Other attacks are horizontal sweeps. Note that decapitation is classed as a zone 2/3 attack. 4. **Don't retreat.** Keep pressing forwards and cutting off your opponent. 5. **Shii-Cho has great potential for improvisation, as it is very simple.** This makes it random and unpredictable, making it harder for your enemies to predict your actions. Mainly, though, it consists of broad sweeps linked together. 6. **In keeping with Jedi philosophy, the disarming strike attempts to disarm the opponent instead of killing them.** It consists of a strong attack at your opponents weapon, in an attempt to rip it from their grasp - or chop it in half. The Sarlacc sweep is a rapid, sweeping movement designed to hit as many enemies as possible. 7. **Because of it's broad, sweeping movements, Shii-Cho is suitable for use against multiple opponents.** However, a single opponent can easily find and exploit flaws in your attacks. In addition, the second lightsaber form, Makashi, was specifically designed for lightsaber-to-lightsaber combat. Do not use Shii-Cho against a Makashi user. 8. **Practise as much as you can.** Then practise some more. You can never practise too much.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Learn-the-Basics-of-Shii%E2%80%90Cho", "language": "en"}

How to Make Fresh Neem Leaves Paste

Neem paste is useful for applying to your skin for alleviating a variety of skin disorders, including itching and blemishes. It can also make a pleasant facial. 1. **Collect fresh neem leaves.** Soak the neem leaves in mildly hot water until they soften. 2. **Place the neem leaves into a mortar and pestle and grind the leaves into a paste.** 3. **Use the paste by applying it to the skin area you're wishing to improve, soften or cleanse.** Leave it there for 20 minutes or until it has nearly dried. 4. **Rinse off with fresh, cold water and dab the skin dry or leave to air dry.** Your skin should look and feel refreshed. Repeat as often as wished. 5. **Add some turmeric powder to freshly made neem paste in a bowl.** Add water, gram flour and milk to it. Mix the ingredients gently. 6. **Apply all over the face.** Leave for 15 minutes; this gives it plenty of time to do its job. 7. **Gently wash away with water.** Wipe dry with a cotton cloth. You will be left with soft, smooth and bright skin.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fresh-Neem-Leaves-Paste", "language": "en"}

How to Stop Cavity Pain

Cavities are a form of tooth decay in your mouth. Left untreated, cavities can lead to more severe tooth problems, such as tooth pain. If you are experiencing a toothache due to cavities, you can learn how to relieve the pain. 1. **See your dentist.** One way to get rid of cavity pain is to go to the dentist. Your dentist will do an exam and get x-rays of your teeth to see where any cavities or other tooth or gum problems are. Then, your dentist will suggest the best course of treatment for your cavity. The most common treatment for cavities is a filling. If the tooth is infected or abscessed, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics first to clear up any infection, which is important to avoid any further complications. 2. **Take over-the-counter medication.** If your tooth or gum aches because of a cavity, taking over-the-counter pain relievers may help reduce the pain. You can take ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), or aspirin. Follow the dosage instructions on the label. Make sure not to let aspirin dissolve on the tooth or gum. This may harm your mouth and teeth. 3. **Try numbing gels.** You can try numbing gels around the area of the cavity to help stop the pain temporarily. Numbing gels contain benzocaine. You should spread the gel on your gums with either your finger or a cotton swab. Make sure you don’t swallow the gel. Spit out the gel left in your mouth. Read and follow the instructions on the box or tube to know the amount of gel to apply and how often you should apply the gel. Keep in mind that if your saliva flow increases after you have applied the gel, that is absolutely normal. Your tongue may also go numb for a while, so you may want to avoid talking for a while or you may bite your tongue accidentally. 4. **Clean out the cavity.** You may be experiencing pain in your cavity after you eat. This might be due to food being stuck in the cavity. To help relieve the pain, rinse your mouth with warm water. Then, use a toothpick to gently and carefully get any food out of the cavity. Make sure not to poke too deep into the cavity because you could cause more damage to the tooth or gums. 5. **Make a salt water rinse.** Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water is one of the most effective ways to help reduce pain in the mouth. Saltwater can help reduce acids in your gums, which may be leading to irritation and pain. Stir in a tablespoon of salt into a glass of warm or lukewarm water until dissolved. Rinse with the solution, making sure to swish it around the sore gum and tooth. 6. **Use an ice pack.** Another way to help cavity pain is to use an ice pack. Place some ice cubes or crushed ice into a towel, balloon, or the cut-off finger of a non-latex glove to make an ice pack. Place the ice pack on the tooth if it isn’t sensitive to cold. You can also place the ice pack on your face just over the painful area. You can also use an ice pack that you buy in the store instead of making one yourself. Make sure that you wrap the ice pack in a cloth or paper towel before you use it. You can leave the ice pack on for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then, remove it and give your skin a chance to return to its normal temperature. 7. **Swish with hydrogen peroxide.** Hydrogen peroxide can help remove bacteria in the cavity and clean the area to help reduce infection. Swish your mouth with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Keep it in your mouth for up to a minute. Spit it out and make sure not to swallow this solution. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide solution for more than five days in a row or your teeth will get sensitive. 8. **Rub extracts on the tooth.** One way to help relieve pain from a cavity is to use natural extracts. You can use vanilla, almond, peppermint or lemon extracts to relieve pain from a cavity. Soak a cotton ball in the extract, and then place the cotton ball on the tooth or gum where the ache is. Leave it there for around ten minutes. You may also choose to put the extract on a Q-tip. 9. **Try essential oils.** Some essential oils may aid in pain relief. Try using sunflower oil, sesame oil, oregano oil, nutmeg oil, clove oil, or tea tree oil to stop cavity pain. You can place a few drops of the oil into a few tablespoons of the water and rinse your mouth out with the rinse. You can also put the oil on a cotton ball or Q-tip and rub the oil directly onto the sore gum or tooth. You may want to try packing a cotton ball soaked in one of the oils, particularly clove oil, into the cavity. Try not to get the oil anywhere else in your mouth because it could cause irritation. Make sure you don’t swallow the essential oil. Always spit it out. 10. **Chew leaves.** Plantain and peppermint may help relieve pain in your mouth. To use for tooth cavity pain, place the leaves in your mouth and chew for a few minutes to release the helpful juices. Then, move the leaves over to the sore gum or tooth and let it rest there for around 15 minutes. You may also choose to use dried peppermint leaves or peppermint tea. Plantains are backyard weeds that have healing properties. The plant is in almost every backyard. The leaves are easy to identify due to the long, vertical veins along the leaf. 11. **Cover the sore area with citrus.** You may be able to relieve cavity pain using fruit from your refrigerator. Lemons and limes may be able to stop tooth pain because of the citric acid and vitamin C, which have antibacterial properties. Cut the lemon or lime into slices. Then, bite into the slice to release juice into your mouth. Place the juice and the slice over your sore gum or tooth. 12. **Make an apple cider vinegar rinse.** Apple cider vinegar is used in many folk and home remedies. To make a rinse for your sore mouth, combine ¼ cup of warm water with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Swish the solution in your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds. Make sure to swish it around the tooth with the cavity. Spit out the rinse and repeat two to three times. Rinse with warm water. You can do this three to four times a day, but do not swallow the water-vinegar mixture. Do not repeat the vinegar rinse for more than four days in a row. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which can erode the enamel surface, especially if you brush your teeth immediately after. 13. **Bite into garlic, onion, or ginger.** Place a small piece of garlic, onion, or ginger in your mouth, directly over your painful tooth or gum area. Slowly bite down on the sliver, which will release the juice inside. This will relieve the pain by numbing the gums. 14. **Try an asafetida paste.** Asafetida is a plan used in Middle Eastern traditional medicine. You can use this to make a paste to help with cavity pain. Combine ¼ teaspoon of asafetida powder with fresh lemon juice. Make sure to use enough lemon juice to make a thin, spreadable paste. Spread the paste on the cavity and around the gum. Leave it on for around five minutes. Rinse the paste from your mouth water. You can put the paste on your tooth two or three times each day.

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How to Stop Being Afraid of Being Loved or Falling in Love

Are you afraid to fall in love? Does the thought of being loved by someone scare you? Love scars can lead you to avoid love altogether, for fear of being hurt again. If you have a fear of loving or being loved, there are several ways that you can deal with your fear. You can identify the sources of your fear, address negative thoughts, and discuss your fears with a friend or a partner. Sometimes fears about loving and being love are so severe that you may need counseling to overcome them, but you can try to work though some of these fears on your own first. 1. **Think about why you are afraid to fall in love or be loved.** The first step in dealing with your issues with loving and/or being loved is to identify the fear that is holding you back. There are many different types of fear that can cause a person to fear loving someone or being loved. Consider your feelings and try to figure out what your main concern is. What are you afraid might happen if you allow yourself to love or be loved? Try writing about your feelings to explore them in more depth. Writing about your fears concerning love may help you to identify the root of your fears and the act of writing may help you to work through some of your feelings as well. 2. **Think about your past relationships.** One way that you can start to understand your fear regarding loving or being loved is to think back on your past relationships. Consider the problems that arose in the relationship and how you contributed to those problems. What did you struggle with in the relationship? What did you fight about? If you broke up, what was the reason for the breakup? In what ways did you contribute to problems in the relationship? What thoughts caused you to respond in the ways that you did? 3. **Reflect on your childhood.** Sometimes childhood experiences can contribute to our ability to love and be loved. If you had some difficult experiences as a child, you may be carrying to feelings into your adult relationships. Consider things that happened to you or around you as a child and how they might be affecting you as an adult. Was there a lot of fighting in your household when you were a child? Did you feel rejected or unloved by one or more of your parents? How did these experiences make you feel? 4. **Consider some of the most common fears about loving and being loved.** Many people have fears when it comes to loving and being loved. Among those fears are the fear of getting hurt, fear of hurting someone, and fear of commitment. Consider these different types of fears and try to determine if your feelings align with any of these categories. If you have been hurt in previous relationships, you know how painful it is and may want to protect yourself from ever feeling that way again. As a result, you might try to prevent yourself from falling in love in order to avoid having to feel those painful emotions again. Perhaps you have hurt people in previous relationships and it made you feel guilty. As a result, you might want to avoid getting into another relationship and causing the same pain to someone else who you care about. Maybe the idea of being committed to one person for the rest of your life is terrifying to you, so you don’t allow yourself to get too attached. Some people think falling in love means that they have to give up certain parts of their identity, which can be scary and may cause some people to avoid love. 5. **Determine if you consider yourself worthy of being loved.** Some people struggle to love and be loved because they believe that they are not loveable or not worthy of being loved. This belief can be the result of childhood neglect, rejection, or other experiences that caused you to feel unworthy of being loved. Consider whether or not your feel like you are worth of being loved. 6. **Decide if you are having an existential crisis regarding love.** Some people fear love because it makes them think about their mortality. Loving someone and being loved back can make the thought of death much scarier because you have more to lose. Some people may even avoid falling in love or being loved because of these negative, frightening feelings. 7. **Challenge your negative thoughts.** In addition to past relationships and childhood experiences, negative thinking may be preventing you from loving or being loved. Some people think negative thoughts about themselves or their partners that cause the relationship to suffer. Do not allow a negative thought to go through your mind without addressing and reframing it. Doing so will help you to change your mindset and stop reinforcing your fears about loving or being loved. The next time you have a negative thought, turn it into a positive one. For example, if you are worried about being rejected, you might think something like, “She’s way out of my league. She’s going to dump me.” Or, if you feel unworthy of being loved you might think something like, “You are too ugly for anyone to ever love you, so don’t even try.” These thoughts are damaging to your self-esteem and to your ability to love and be loved. If you are dealing with these types of negative thoughts, you will need to work to silence them and change them. The next time that you find yourself thinking a negative thought, stop yourself and change the thought. If you think to yourself, “She’s way out of my league. She’s going to dump me,” turn it into something more positive. Change it to something like, “She’s a beautiful woman. I am excited to see where this relationship goes.” 8. **Work to develop positive thoughts about love.** You might also benefit from some positive self-talk regarding love. Try using positive daily affirmations to develop more positive feelings about love. Positive daily affirmations can help you to deal with the negative emotions that may be part of your fears about love. Take a few moments each day to look at yourself in the mirror and say something positive about love. You can say something that you believe about love or something that you would like to believe about love. Some examples of things you might tell yourself include: “I am worthy of love.” “I will have a fulfilling loving relationship someday.” “Love is a wonderful thing.” 9. **Allow yourself to be vulnerable.** Vulnerability is defined as the risk and uncertainty that comes along with emotional exposure. People who fear loving and being loved often have their defenses up in a relationship. If you want to overcome your fear of loving and being loved, you will need to lower your defenses and allow yourself to be vulnerable to your partner. This might sound frightening, but it is an important step to become more comfortable with love. Common defenses against feeling vulnerable include retreating into a fantasy world or presenting yourself in a less than ideal way. Identify the defenses that you use to prevent yourself from feeling vulnerable. What are your defenses? How can you lower them and begin to allow yourself to be more vulnerable? In your next relationship, try taking the long view — using memories of past happiness as insurance for the future or recalling the original commitment and promises made to each other. 10. **Discuss your fears with your partner or a trusted friend.** Talking to someone about your fears and feelings may help you to deal with your fears about loving and being loved. If you are in a relationship consider sharing these feelings with your partner. Telling your partner how you feel can open up the possibilities for greater intimacy in your relationship. Make sure that you have this discussion with your partner when you are both calm, not after or during an argument. If you are not in a relationship or if you are not ready to talk to your partner about your feelings, talk to a trusted friend instead. Try starting by saying something like, “I think my past/current relationship problems were caused by some of my fears about love. I am trying to work through those feelings so that the problems do not continue. Would you be willing to discuss that with me?” 11. **Consider talking to a counselor if your problems continue.** Sometimes fears related to loving and being love are so severe that you need to get help from a counselor. If your problems continue despite your attempts to make thing better, consider talking to a counselor about these issues. A counselor can help you to get to the root of the problems and deal with them so that you can have healthier relationships in the future.

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How to Be a Good Cook

Everyone has that friend who doesn’t use a recipe, has all the ingredients and makes a delicious dish on a whim. What you don’t always realize is how much effort was previously put into improving that talent. You should approach a kitchen the same way a painter approaches her canvas. Becoming a good cook takes practice, but over time you’ll become confident and successful in the kitchen. 1. **Seek out reliable recipes.** You need to read recipes before you can start to experiment in the kitchen. Even those cooks you know who claim they don’t use recipes, have read their fair share of recipes and even have some saved. A great way to find reliable sources is by researching a specific recipe. Do an online search of something common like “chili” or “baked mac n’ cheese.” Read several recipes and choose one that has a good online rating and that looks interesting to you. Comments on websites aren’t reliable, but you can generally get a decent idea of how successful a recipe was due to the comments. Ask for suggestions as well. Your friends who enjoy cooking probably have their favorite websites or cookbooks. Don’t be afraid to ask. You should also ask your family members. There are certain family recipes that grandmothers like to keep in the family and are usually incredible. 2. **Cook several recipes.** Once you start to build a repertoire of credible recipes, start cooking. If you are new to cooking, try to cook as much as you can. Most recipes have a difficulty rating and you should use this as a guide and cook easy recipes. There is no need to start ambitiously by making homemade gnocchi. Try cooking some of these basic recipes: Spaghetti and meatballs Garlic bread Frittata Fried chicken Burgers French toast Read the entire recipe before cooking. 3. **Work through a cookbook.** It helps beginners and pros alike to have a printed out, edited recipe in front of them. Today there are several types of cookbooks that range on skill sets and cuisines. Take a bit of time to consider some of the following recommended cookbooks: Afro Vegan by Bryant Terry. The Ode to Southern Food by Edna Lewis Momofuku by David Chang and Peter Meehan The Zuni Cafe Cookbook by Judy Rodgers There are also great food blogs/websites like http://food52.com or http://smittenkitchen.com 4. **Prepare tougher recipes.** Once you start to become more familiar with cooking and recipes, you can set out to tackle more complex recipes. You might ruin one or two recipes as you work your way up to become a good cook. The point is to learn and overcome from difficulties in the kitchen. Many recipes termed “advanced,” merely require planning from you and sometimes need to be prepped the night before. Try out some of these dishes that are considered difficult: paella, beef wellington, or mole. These recipes will take a fair amount of time, but you will feel unstoppable if you can finish one of these. 5. **Cook all your meals.** Improve your cooking skills by forcing yourself to only eat your own creations. This will help you master your favorite dishes, but it will also inspire you to create new flavors. Cook meals in large quantities to eat leftovers at work. Cooking all meals takes planning and will power, but you will learn by cooking a lot! Contain your urge to eat at your favorite restaurants by cooking a similar dish. 6. **Expand your palate.** A key to being a good cook is to be open to different cuisines from various cultures. You need to experience a wide variety of flavors to help foster your creativity as a cook. Go to a restaurant of a cuisine you have never tried like: Korean, Cuban, Indian, Ethiopian, or Mediterranean. Talk to foodies for inspiration. Seek out your friend who thinks of herself as a foodie and ask for a restaurant recommendation. Try to go out to dinner with this person to get even more of a food experience. 7. **Watch cooking shows.** Cooking shows are a great way to watch how recipes are made and offer plenty of helpful cooking tips. You can watch the food channel, which is exclusively reserved for television programs catered around cooking and food. There are also plenty of online videos about cooking that range from amateurs to professional chefs. 8. **Adapt a recipe.** Many times, people who aren’t using a recipe have already made that dish by following a similar recipe. Once you’ve made a recipe a handful of times, try to cook it based on memory. By working through memory, you’ll adapt the recipe into your own dish. If you enjoy a particular ingredient in a dish, like celery for example, then add more chopped celery to the dish. Attempt to create a recipe based off the ingredients you own. Try adapting the recipe without buying extra supplies. It might work, or you could fail, but at least you tried. 9. **Use spices with intention.** A well stocked spice rack can enhance impromptu creations. There are dozens of spices and combinations available to you. Use the following information about some classic spices to help you get started: Basil is a sweet and earthy herb that has many types variants. Basil pairs well with Italian recipes (pasta, red sauce) and also works well in Asian stir fries with peanuts or coconut milk. Curry powder is a variety of different herbs that is great for Indian dishes and varieties. Try curry powder in lentil stew, a breakfast scramble, or in rice/quinoa with cilantro. Cumin is an earthy flavor with a bit of a spice. Cumin is perfect for Mexican dishes like tacos, black bean/refried beans, root vegetables, and on fish (tilapia). Rosemary is sweet and woody. Rosemary goes well with many dishes like meats or potatoes. Rosemary is a good addition to any type of roasting with olive oil. Thyme is an earthy herb. Thyme works well in any bean dish. It pairs well with other spices like bay leaves, lemon zest, and parsley. 10. **Make a pan sauce.** Take advantage of the residue left in your pan after cooking to create a delicious sauce to accompany your meal. This technique works best after searing meat in a pan. Remove the meat and any excess fat from the pan and turn the heat down to medium. Add some spices and herbs like a chopped shallot, garlic, and yellow mustard seed powder. Cook these down for about five minutes and then add some liquid. One of the best liquids to absorb the pan’s remnants and create flavor is alcohol. Add about a ¼ cup of red/white wine or beer. Cook the liquid down while stirring with a wooden spoon to blend all the remnants of the pan into the sauce. After 4-5 minutes throw in some lemon zest, thyme, or rosemary to complete a delicious accompaniment to your meal. 11. **Create a sauté.** Sautéing is the process of cooking food quickly at a high temperature in a shallow, wide pan. The key to sauteing is cutting all the ingredients into uniform size so that everything cooks evenly. You can sauté meat, vegetables, and even fruit. Heat the pan to medium-high for about 10 minutes and then add your favorite oil/butter (2 tablespoons). Add your chopped food into the pan and cook for about ten minutes stirring frequently. Experiment with the order of when you add certain ingredients. Some like to add garlic and onions last and others like to add it to the pan first. If you are sautéing meat, consider sautéing the meat separately to avoid under-cooking the meat. Once you feel comfortable you can sauté everything in the same pan. 12. **Learn how to caramelize.** Caramelizing is a useful technique that can be used to many ingredients. Caramelizing is all about slow cooking in a pan to bring out the natural sweetness out of an ingredient. Take caramelizing onions for example: Use thick slices to avoid burning the onion and cook with an even ratio of butter and oil. Cover the surface of the pan, but don’t cram too many onions onto the pan. Keep the heat on medium-low throughout the cooking to ensure a successful caramelization without burning anything. This will take close to 45 minutes if done properly. You can do this same technique with a variety of produce like garlic or even broccoli. 13. **Sweat your vegetables.** Sweating your veggies is very similar to sauteing, but the temperature you use to sweat is lower. You want bring out flavors while tenderizing the veggies, instead of browning them. Heat your pan on medium-low heat and wait about 10 minutes for the pan to heat. Add the oil of your choice (2 tbs), distribute the oil in your pan, and then add your chopped veggies. Throw in a healthy amount of salt and let your veggies sizzle gently, opposed to a loud sizzle. Adjust the temperature if it sounds too loud. Stir the produce frequently to avoid browning. Cook in the pan for about five to ten minutes. You are looking for your produce to soften or become translucent. 14. **Blanch your veggies.** Another technique for vegetables is blanching. Heat a large cooking pot of water on high heat with a generous amount of salt. Prepare a bowl of ice water and set to the side. Chop your vegetables and once the water is boiling, add them to the pot. Let the veggies cook for 1 ½ to 2 minutes tops. Strain the vegetables in a colander and immediately dump them into the ice bath. The result is perfectly tender vegetables that can easily be thrown into a dish. If you plan to cook the veggies in a different pot, heat them in boiling water for a minute. After thirty seconds in the ice bath, your vegetables are ready. 15. **Adjust the flavor.** A vital part of cooking is tasting the flavor as you cook. If the dish tastes bitter or bland, add salt to the dish. Try out a pinch or teaspoon at a time until the flavor improves. If you think the dish still needs more flavor try adding acidity or spice to the dish. Add spice by using chopped, fresh peppers (jalapeno or habanero), 1 tsp of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Add acidity near the end of cooking by squeezing a fresh lemon over the dish, or by adding 2 tablespoons of vinegar (rice wine, balsamic, or malt). Another way to boost the flavor of a dish is by adding a splash of wine. Let the dish cook for 5 to 10 minutes in order to cook off the alcohol. 16. **Don’t be afraid to experiment.** Experimenting in the kitchen won’t always produce an incredible meal. All cooks who’ve took this leap have failed at some point through experimentation. The point is to attempt to move forward into uncharted cooking territories. 17. **Organize your space.** The best way to prepare for a recipe is by having a clean and organized work space. Begin by cleaning the surface tops of your kitchen and ensure that there aren’t any dirty dishes in the sink. Keep your cabinets clean and organized by going through them to check for expired products. Additionally, you want your refrigerator to be clean and avoid keeping expired or too much leftover food. 18. **Purchase decent equipment.** The first advice you’ll hear from cooks on how to become better cooks is to have good knives. Invest in the nicest knives you can afford. It might sound unimportant, but quality knives will expedite your chopping process and make cooking more enjoyable. A good way to check if your knife is sharp enough is if you cry while cutting onions. A knife that is sharp enough won’t cause you to cry. 19. **Plan out your week.** The best way to save money and shop efficiently is by planning out a meal for each night of the week. Once you figure out your meal for everyday of the week, you can start to look at each day’s recipe and ingredient list. Compile a grocery list based off your plan. Take this model as inspiration for you as you plan out your week: Monday is pasta night. Tuesday is taco night. Wednesday is Asian stir-fry. Thursday is meat and potato night. Friday is burger night. Saturday is your night to go out. Sunday is leftover night. 20. **Shop smart.** The best way to shop for multiple recipes is to choose recipes that require similar ingredients. This way you can buy bulk amounts of similar ingredients to cover a lot of grounds. You should also consider the amount of processed food you buy and feed your family. Attempt to stay away from lengthy ingredient lists and especially from GMO (genetically modified products) and high fructose corn syrup. Shop organic when you have the means to. There are ways of shopping for healthy ingredients on a budget.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-Cook", "language": "en"}

How to Make Your Boyfriend Feel Loved

Everyone wants to feel loved in a romantic relationship. Sometimes it can be hard to tell just what you need to do for your boyfriend to show him that you care. Just like you, your boyfriend probably appreciates physical affection, kind words, and a few nice gestures. Try out different methods to see what works best for you and your relationship. 1. **Find out what makes him feel loved.** Everyone shows and receives love differently. Some people place more importance on verbal affirmations and quality time while others want their partner to shower them gifts, physical affection, or small favors. Gauge what kinds things he likes by observing what he asks of you. It may also help to simply ask him if you’re not sure. Make an effort to act accordingly. For example, some men feel loved when you spend time doing activities together like playing basketball or going to a movie. Others feel most loved when you have deep conversations or show affection with hugs and kisses. If you’re not sure, ask. Try saying, “Do you want to play basketball or should we just hang here and talk?” Your boyfriend may be the type that likes to receive gifts. Find small ways to show that you are thinking of him. Try buying him a nice shirt or picking up his favorite candy from the store. 2. **Get physical.** Sex is often an important part of a romantic relationship. Men are especially likely to feel loved when the sexual connection is genuine and consistent. Make time to cultivate passionate moments in the bedroom. Think of all the things that attract you to him and fantasize about him. Express your desires when you are alone together. Men usually want to please their significant others in bed. Let him know when you like something that he does between the sheets. Try starting off with things like, “I love it when you…” Avoid criticism. Your boyfriend may feel hurt by any negative comments about his sexual performance. Instead, tell him what he is doing right. 3. **Go on dates.** Keep your relationship thriving by going out to do something that you both enjoy. Explore your common interests as pair. Doing things outside of your daily routine will keep your relationship alive and evolving. Go out for a nice dinner, see a movie, or check out a new museum. Keep it romantic. Go the extra mile to make a reservation at his favorite restaurant, dress nicely, or hold his hand. These kinds of small gestures are thoughtful and affectionate ways to show that you want him to feel loved. 4. **Anticipate his needs.** Get to know what your boyfriend likes and dislikes so that you can be more attentive to his needs. You can do this in little ways that will show him you are thinking of him. For example, you might ask him about how a big meeting went at work and have a bottle of his favorite wine ready when he gets home. Or, if you know that he does not like birthday parties, then you might plan something low key to do on his birthday, like going to see a movie or checking out a new restaurant together. Try to think about what would be the best way to anticipate your boyfriend’s needs in everyday situations and for special occasions. 5. **Compliment him.** Everyone likes to feel attractive and special. Tell your boyfriend about the things you like about him. Comment on his physique, his skills, or his intelligence. Make your compliments sincere. If he’s wearing a shirt that looks great on him, for example, touch his shoulder and say, “You look so hot in that shirt.” 6. **Dress up.** Show your boyfriend that you want to look good for him. Wear something that you know he likes. Wear a cute pair of jeans you when you go out for dinner, or spend a little extra time grooming before you meet up with him. 7. **Buy or make him something.** You don’t need to spend a lot of money to show that you care about someone. A small gift simply shows that you were thinking of him. Don’t go over the top, but look out for ways to give him things that he likes. For example, if you happen to be on a trip, bring him back a souvenir. If you go to the store, bring him his favorite bag of chips. Give things that don’t cost money. If you know that he is interested in a certain type of music, for example, make him a playlist or send him a music video. Thoughtful gifts will show him that you really know and care for him as a person. 8. **Offer to help him with his daily activities.** A busy work or school life can be overwhelming and stressful. Offer to help your boyfriend with the little things he may not have time to do during the day, or simply help him do something just for the fun of it. Offering to help shows that you support him and his goals. Help him finish an assignment for a subject you happen to be good at. If he's working, try packing his lunch for the next work day or give him a massage when he comes home. 9. **Express your appreciation.** Saying thank you and finding other ways to let your boyfriend know that you appreciate him will help to make your boyfriend feel loved and appreciated. Try to thank him or let him know that you appreciated something he did on a daily basis. For example, you might say something like, “Thank you for doing the dishes! I was really overwhelmed by work and I appreciate that so much.” Or, if he opens a door for you, then you can simply say, “Thank you!” 10. **Hug and kiss him.** Give him a hug and a peck on the cheek when you see him. Do the same when you part, and whenever you feel the urge to feel close to him. Try a long hug for extra closeness. Embrace him and count to seven. It may feel like a long time, but it feels good to get a loving hug from someone you care about. 11. **Tell him you love him.** The quickest way to communicate that you love him is to tell him! Even if you’ve already said it once, it doesn’t hurt repeat yourself when you feel the urge to do so. Look him in the eye and tell him how you feel. 12. **Give him space.** Spending time with your boyfriend can be exciting, to say the least. Still, it is important to have time apart. You don’t need to spend every moment with him to show that you love him. Keep doing the activities you love to do, and let him do the same. Remember that you both had separate lives before you met. He probably fell in love with you because of who you are as an individual. Keep developing into the person you want to be. Let him go out with his friends while you do your own thing. This shows that you trust him and support his other relationships. Group dates are fun, but quality time with friends (without your significant other) is healthy too. 13. **Communicate with him when you’re not together.** Send him a text or an email update when you are apart. Let him know that you are thinking about him by maintaining communication. Even if you see each other often, send him a text to check in and see how he’s doing. Maintain contact if you are apart for a long time. Maybe he’s going on a trip, or you have to visit family for a few weeks. Stay in contact. Send pictures, give him updates on your life, and let him know that you miss him! 14. **Listen to him.** Everyone has opinions, hopes, and fears. No matter what it is, listen to him and try to understand whatever he is going through. Show that you are actively listening to him by reflecting on what he has told you without judgment. Lending an ear shows that you are willing to be supportive. Look him in the eye and nod your head to show that you hear him. Repeat back information to clarify or confirm what you heard. 15. **Be understanding.** Everyone has moments when they feel down. Whether it is stress from work or sadness about something that’s gone wrong, we all go through difficult times. Be understanding and supportive of your boyfriend if he is going through something difficult. Be patient. If he is feeling moody or argumentative, take a deep breath and let the small things go. You don’t have to let him walk all over you, but give him some time to cool down from the things that are bothering him. Let him know that you are there to help. He may make it clear that he wants to be alone or needs someone to talk to. Feel out the situation, or ask him if you are not sure. Try saying, “I'm here to talk whenever you want.”

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Boyfriend-Feel-Loved", "language": "en"}

How to Make Saddle Soap

Saddle soap is used to clean, condition and protect leather. Saddle soap is commonly used on saddles and other horse equipment called “tack,” but it can also be used on tough leather items like leather shoes, belts, or furniture. Since saddle soap both cleans and conditions leather, it removes dirt from leather exterior, and helps keep leather supple and well-conditioned. You can easily make your own saddle soap at home using a variety of simple, inexpensive ingredients instead of purchasing it from a tack supply store. 1. **Grate 0.75 cups (96 g) of bar soap and 0.75 cups (64 g) of wax.** You can use a grater with small, medium or large sized holes. Whichever size grater you choose, grated pieces of soap and wax will melt more quickly and evenly than bars. You can use scented or unscented bar soap in any color. Beeswax or paraffin wax will help seal your leather, making it more resistant to water. 2. **Bring 3.5 cups (830 mL) of water to a boil over high heat.** In a large pot you no longer use for cooking, bring the water to boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium once it begins boiling. 3. **Melt the 0.75 cups (96 g) of soap and 0.75 cups (64 g) of wax in water.** Stir the grated soap into the water until it is melted. Once the soap has melted in the water, add your grated beeswax or paraffin and stir again until it has melted with the rest of the mixture. 4. **Remove the pot from heat and add 0.25 cups (59 mL) of neatsfoot oil.** Take the pot off your stove and place it onto a heat-safe surface. Stir in the 0.25 cups (59 mL) of neatsfoot oil. Keep mixing until the oil has combined with the rest of the mixture. An animal-based oil like neatsfoot oil will soak into your leather and soften it. 5. **Stir the mixture until it begins to thicken.** Stir your soap mixture continually, mixing in any soap buildup along the sides of your pot. When the soap mix begins to cool after a few minutes, it will start thickening. As soon as it starts thickening but remains easy to pour, it is ready to store. 6. **Pour the saddle soap mix into a jar or sealable container.** A wide mouth glass jar or container works for easy pouring and storage. Make sure it has cooled for an hour or two before sealing it with a lid or adding labels. Your saddle soap is set and ready to use when it is hard to the touch. Store your saddle soap in a cool, dry place to make it last longer. This saddle soap can be applied with a damp cloth to the leather surface, then buffed dry with a clean cloth. Saddle soap can clean leather boots along with leather tack when used properly. 7. **Cut a 2 lb (0.91 kg) block of glycerin in half.** Glycerin is often sold in supermarkets, craft stores, and beauty stores in a 2 lb (0.91 kg) block. Once you have the 1 lb (0.45 kg) block of glycerin you need for this recipe, you can save the other half for another saddle soap mixture in the future. If you're storing extra glycerin for future use, you can wrap it in plastic wrap or wax paper, and store it in a cool, dry area. 8. **Cut the 1 lb (0.45 kg) block of glycerin into smaller chunks.** The small chunks of glycerin you cut do not have to be perfect or even. Cut the block into small chunks the size of your thumbnail. These smaller pieces will melt more quickly in your microwave. 9. **Melt the 1 lb (0.45 kg) of glycerin in 30 second intervals.** Place the small chunks of glycerin in a microwaveable bowl. Heat the glycerin on medium power for 30 seconds in your microwave, then remove and stir. Keep microwaving in 30 second intervals until the glycerin has melted. A 1 lb (0.45 kg) piece of glycerin will make approximately 2 cups (470 mL) of liquid when melted. 10. **Stir the 0.25 cups (59 mL) of milk or cream into your mixture.** Stir continuously to combine. To make a scented version of saddle soap, replace the milk or cream with 0.25 cups (59 mL) leather cleaner (not leather conditioner). Stir in a few drops of scented essential oils. Cream-based saddle soap made with animal fats and protein, like milk, condition leather well. 11. **Stir your soap mixture until it begins to thicken.** Make sure you scrape any buildup from the sides and mix it in as well. It will begin to thicken as it cools. Once your soap mixture is becoming harder to stir but still able to be poured, it’s ready for storage. 12. **Pour the mixture into your jar or container.** Let your saddle soap cool for an hour or two before sealing the jar or container. When it is hard to the touch, it has set and is ready to use. The glycerin will prevent the milk or cream in your soap from going rancid. Make your saddle soap last longer by storing it away from water in a cool, dry place.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Saddle-Soap", "language": "en"}

How to Melt Crayons

Just because crayons are old and broken does not mean that you can throw them away. Just like candle wax, crayons can be melted down and turned into new crayons, candles, or even lipstick! There are several different ways to melt crayons, and this article will show you how. 1. **Peel the paper wrappers off the crayons.** If you don't remove the wrappers, the wax may melt into them and create a greasy, waxy mess. Here are a few simple ways to remove crayon wrappers: Peel and tear the wrapper off. Score the paper wrapper with a craft knife and peel the wrapper open. Soak the crayons in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to loosen the wrapper, then peel the wrapper off. Some crayons have very loose wrappers. You might be able to simply slide these off. 2. **Consider separating the crayons by color.** If you have a bunch of crayons, you can sort them into similar colors. This means that you put all of the pinks together and all of the purples together. You don't have to focus on grouping specific colors together, such as putting all of the "bubblegum" pinks together and all of the "rose" pinks together. 3. **Use a craft knife or a kitchen knife to cut the crayons into smaller pieces.** You want the pieces to be about ½ inches (1.27 centimeters) long. This will help reduce the melting time. 4. **Put the crayon pieces into a microwave-safe container.** You can use a glass jar or even an old coffee mug. If you have multiple colors, then put each color group into a separate container. If you wish to make candles out of crayons, then use one part shaved candle wax to one part crayon. You can also add a few drops of essential oil or candle-making fragrance. If you are making lipstick, then you will need one crayon (you can use one color, or different colors amounting to one crayon) and ½ teaspoon of shea butter, and ½ teaspoon of oil, such as almond oil, Argan oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil. 5. **Place the containers into the microwave.** You can put multiple colors/containers into the microwave at one time, but don't overcrowd the microwave oven. It is better to heat each color one at a time, or heat in small batches. 6. **Microwave the crayons for 2 minutes, pausing every 30 seconds to stir.** Do not step away from the microwave; keep an eye on the melting crayons. Each microwave is different, and your crayons may melt sooner. 7. **Use the melted wax.** Once the crayons are completely melted, you may pour the wax into silicone molds or plastic candy molds to make fun-shaped crayons. You can also use the wax to make crayon-based lipstick and candles. If you want to add any extras, such as glitter, fragrance, or essential oil, do so now. Be sure to stir it in well. Don't add the glitter earlier; it might react with the microwave. 8. **Assemble a double boiler or bain marie.** Fill a large pot with 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water. Place a heat-safe glass container inside the large pot. The top of the glass container should be above the water level. If you have a metal beaker used for candle-making, you can use this instead of the glass container. 9. **Peel the wrappers off of the crayons.** If you don't remove the wrapper, you will end up with a soggy mess. Here are a few easy ways to remove crayon wrappers: Peel and tear the wrapper off. Start at one end (top or bottom) and the seam of the wrapper. Nick your fingernail under the wrapper, and start tearing it off. If the wrappers are difficult to remove, run a craft knife down the length of a crayon and gently cut the wrapper open. Peel the wrapper off. Soak the crayon in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. The water will soften the paper and make it easier to remove. Some crayons have very loose wrappers that are not glued on. You might be able to slide these off like a sock or a paper wrapper off a straw. 10. **Consider separating the crayons by color.** If you have a bunch of crayons in different colors, you can sort them by color. This will save you time later when you are melting the crayons. You do not have to group specific colors together, such as putting all of the "periwinkle" blues together and the "royal" blues together. Instead, just group all of the blues together, all of the yellows together, and so forth. 11. **Cut the crayons into smaller pieces using a craft knife or a kitchen knife.** You want the pieces to be about ½ inches (1.27 centimeters) long. This will help them melt quicker and reduce the number of lumps that might form. 12. **Turn on the stove and bring the water to a boil.** Once the water starts boiling, lower the temperature and keep the water at a steady simmer. 13. **Drop the crayon pieces into the glass container.** Do not put all of the colors in all at once, or you will get a murky brown color. Instead, drop the crayons in based on color. If you sorted the colors out beforehand, you can just drop the color piles into the container. If you are making crayon candles, then add some shaved candle wax and a few drops of essential oil or candle fragrance. If you are making crayon-based lipstick, then you will need to start with one crayon (you can use one color, or different colors amounting to one crayon) and ½ teaspoon of shea butter, and ½ teaspoon of oil, such as almond oil, Argan oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil. If you want to add any extras, such as glitter, fragrance, or essential oil, now is the time to do so. 14. **Wait until the crayons are melted.** Stir them occasionally with a spoon so that everything gets heated evenly. Do not leave the stove unattended and be sure to use good ventilation; the fumes given off by the melting wax can cause headaches. If the water level in the big pot starts to get too low, add more water. 15. **Take the container out of the water and use the wax.** The glass container will be very hot, so be sure to use an oven mitt or pot holder to protect your hand. You can pour the hot wax into silicone ice cube molds or candy molds to make fun-shaped crayons. You can also use this wax to make crayon-based lipstick or candles. 16. **Preheat the oven to 200°F (94°C).** In this method, you will be melting some old crayons into fun new shapes. 17. **Peel any paper off the crayons.** Most crayons have wrappers that are easy to peel off. Some might even slide off on their own. If you are having troubles removing the wrappers, here are a few tips: Run a craft knife down the length of a crayon, gently slicing the paper wrapper open. Be careful not to cut the actual crayon. You should be able to pull the wrapper off easily. If the wrappers are difficult to remove, soak the entire crayon in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. The water will help soften the paper, making it easier to remove. 18. **Consider separating the crayons by color.** If you are using a lot of crayons, you can save time later by sorting them into similar colors. This means that you put the yellows with the yellows and the blues with the blues. You do not have to group specific colors together, such as putting all of the "cornflower" blues together and the "goldenrod" yellows together. 19. **Slice the crayons into smaller pieces using a craft knife or a kitchen knife.** You want the pieces to be about ½ inches (1.27 centimeters) long. This will help them melt quicker and reduce the number of lumps that might form. 20. **Find a suitable baking tin or silicone mold.** You can use an old cupcake or muffin tin, or you can use a silicone baking or ice cube mold. Silicone has a very high melting point, so it is safe to use in the oven. If you are using a cupcake or muffin tin, consider lightly greasing the wells with cooking spray or shortening. This will prevent any sticking. You can also line the wells with cupcake liners instead. If you are using a silicone mold, you do not need to line it or grease it. The mold is stick-resistant and flexible, so the melted crayons (once hardened) will easily "pop" out. 21. **Place the crayon pieces into the molds.** If you plan on making fun-shaped crayons, then you will want to over-fill each well a little bit. This is because the crayons will spread out and fill in the gaps when they melt. Consider matching colors to the shape. For example, if your mold has different shapes, such as stars and hearts, put the reds and pinks in the heart-shaped well, and the yellows and blues in the star-shaped well. Consider mixing and matching some colors. Try putting reds, oranges, and yellows into one shape, blues and greens into another, and pinks and purples into a third. 22. **Place the tin in the oven and bake it for 10 to 15 minutes.** If you are using silicone mold, place it onto a baking sheet first. 23. **Remove the tin from the oven.** Once the crayons have completely melted, pull the tin out of the oven. You can now use the melted wax for your project, or you can let the wax cool and harden in the mold to make fun-shaped crayons. If you are making fun-shaped crayons, you can speed up the cooling process by waiting until the wax hardens a bit, then sticking the molds into the freezer for 30 minutes. 24. **Remove the hardened crayons from the molds.** If you are making fun-shaped crayons, wait for the wax to harden completely. You can tell if the wax has set if the bottom of the mold or tin is cool to the touch. Once the wax has set, turn the mold upside down. If you are using cupcake or muffin tins, the crayons should pop right out. If they don't, you can lightly tap the tray against the counter. If you are using a silicone mold, gently grip the edges of the mold, and press down on the bulging shape, pushing the crayon out.

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How to Celebrate Shabbat

Shabbat is the Jewish day of rest, observed by Jews every week of the year from Friday at sunset until Saturday night. Shabbat is celebrated as a day of rest because Jews believe that God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. Traditionally, preparing and participating in a special Shabbat meal is how this Jewish holiday is celebrated. You can also celebrate Shabbat by partaking in worship and leisure activities. 1. **Go food shopping.** There are three meals traditionally served on Shabbat: a full Friday night dinner, a full Saturday afternoon lunch, and a comparatively lighter Saturday evening dinner (Seudat Shilisit in Hebrew; literally "the third meal"). If you are having guests for one or all of the meals, shop and prepare even earlier, or have them bring a dish or two to ease the workload. 2. **Bathe yourself and clean your house.** It is considered a praiseworthy mitzvah (good deed) to prepare your home for Shabbat. In addition to cleaning, this means using your best dishes, using your best linens, and wearing your best clothes. Traditionally, meals held in celebration of Shabbat should be fit for a queen. 3. **Start Shabbat with the first blessing.** Typically, there are two candles lit on the dinner table just before sunset on Friday to mark the start of Shabbat. These candles represent observing and remembering the Shabbat. To properly start Shabbat, you need to: Light the candles and cover or close your eyes. Recite the candle lighting blessing, which can be found at: http://www.reformjudaism.org/shabbat-customs 4. **Pour, bless and drink the wine.** The blessing of the kosher wine, or grape juice, is called Kiddoush. The wine is a symbol of joy and relaxation. To properly bless the wine, you need to: First, read aloud Genesis 1:31-2:3 from the Torah Lift the cup of wine and bless it. Go to http://www.aish.com/sh/ht/fn/48967396.html to get more information on this blessing. Bless Shabbat. This blessing can be found at: http://www.reformjudaism.org/practice/prayers-blessings/shabbat-evening-blessings-kiddush-blessing-over-wine 5. **Bless, break, and eat the bread.** Like the candles, you should have two loaves of braided Sabbath bread known as Challah. The blessing over the bread is called HaMotzi. The purpose of blessing the bread is to show gratitude for the meal that God has provided. To properly bless the bread, you should: Uncover the bread and say a blessing over it. Information on this blessing can be found at: http://www.reformjudaism.org/practice/prayers-blessings/shabbat-blessings-hamotzi-blessing-over-bread-meal. Slice, salt, and eat the bread after the blessings. This can be in forms other the traditional braided loaves. Some prepare garlic pita bread, while others incorporate cinnamon and raisins to make a sweeter challah. 6. **Serve an appetizer.** Try making a Mediterranean dip, a unique salsa, or gefilte fish. These dishes are common to serve at the beginning of the meal. 7. **Serve soup or salad.** The next part of the meal typically includes serving and eating soup, salad, or both. If serving a soup, try chicken soup, beef and mushroom barley, or ginger carrot soup. If serving a salad, consider a mandarin-orange beet salad or a romaine pepper steak salad. 8. **Serve a main dish with two or more sides.** For the main course, there are many different options to choose from. For the main dish, consider making meatballs in a mushroom sauce, apricot chicken, or brisket. For the side dishes, try kugels, ratatouille, or green bean almandine. 9. **Serve dessert.** Finish the last course strong with a tasty and sweet treat. Some different desserts you may want to make include: apple crumble, peanut butter ice cream pie, or double chocolate fudge brownies. 10. **Attend a Jewish service.** You can go to synagogue during Shabbat and experience a slightly varied form of Jewish worship where the focus is on personal and group prayer. At these services, you should focus more on praising God than making requests from him. 11. **Study the Torah.** You can also celebrate Shabbat by reading Jewish scripture. Doing this can help you focus on God and learn more about judaism. You can read the Torah by yourself or discuss it with a friend or family member. The Torah is most prominently made up of historical stories, which reveal God’s influence and work, as well as the details of Halahka, the Jewish laws. Most importantly, The Torah teaches of commandments and the welfare of the body and soul. Get into the habit of reading and/or discussing a new section of the Torah with a friend or family member each Shabbat. Select a small group of Jewish laws to study, or pick a particular story to read and discuss with a friend over coffee. 12. **Sing Jewish songs.** There are many different Jewish songs, often in Hebrew, that have messages of praise and worship. During Shabbat, you can sing these songs at synagogue or a Shabbat meal with others. Some worship songs you can sing include: ”Ki Tavo'u El Ha'aretz,” including text from the book of Leviticus ”Vehitifu Heharim Asis,” including text from the book of Amos ”Birkat HaKohanim,” including text from the book of Numbers 13. **Socialize with family, friends, and the synagogue community.** Many take the time to reconnect with old relatives or friends during Shabbat. You can call, write, or spend time with those close to you to show them love and support. 14. **Indulge in hobbies and relax.** Since Shabbat is considered a day of rest, you can celebrate by doing whatever it is that relaxes you and feels like fun instead of work. Here are some examples of activities you may want to try: Volunteering Going for a nature walk Visiting a museum 15. **Participate in activities at your own discretion.** Traditionally, there are thirty-nine different tasks that practicing Jews are not supposed to do during Shabbat. Mostly, these activities resemble work. However, the standards have shifted a lot over time. Some Jews adhere strictly to the list and others follow guidelines more loosely. There is much debate over the acceptability of partaking in certain activities, such as watching television, driving a car, cooking, cleaning, and spending money. Some of the original thirty-nine prohibited tasks include: Plowing Baking Shearing wool Weaving Sewing stitches Writing two or more letters Building Kindling a fire

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How to Choose a Firearm for Personal or Home Defense

Selecting a weapon for defensive purposes is a crucial and daunting decision. Generally speaking, there are two types of guns: handguns and long guns. Handguns are designed for one handed use and portability, but generally lack the stopping power of long guns, which range from shotguns to rifles to submachine guns. Keep reading for help in choosing which type you need. 1. **While the size, weight, and design of the handgun makes them the most common choice for personal defense (they're carried with minimal discomfort or exposure), this forces them to use a weaker cartridge for repeated shots with relative ease.** 2. **The concealability of handguns lends them to be the most used gunfight weapon.** If you aren't expecting trouble, you bring something easy to manage. 3. **Reliability is the number one aspect to look at when selecting a personal or home defense weapon.** 4. **Caliber selection in pistols is a hot source of debate amongst tactics-minded handgun users.** While the general stopping power of a pistol is measurably low compared to almost any long gun, you want to make an informed choice to give you the best advantage. Smaller calibers, such as .380, 9mm, etc, generally result in a higher bullet velocity, reduced recoil which allows for fast follow-up shots, higher capacity magazines (or smaller framed guns), and higher velocity bullets. Large calibers, such as the venerable .45 feature slower bullets that have increased overall diameter, allowing for a wider initial wound channel (which gives you a slightly increased chance of hitting something vital). The heavier bullets and generally high muzzle energies increase recoil, resulting in slower follow-up shots and the larger diameter of the cartridges means lower capacity magazines. 5. **The most crucial factor in determining what caliber you will choose is how accurate and comfortable you are with any particular caliber.** Most U.S. self-defense experts consider .380 ACP (9 x 17 mm Browning Short) or 9mm as the minimum for adequate defense, while European Police believe that .32 ACP (7.65 x 17 mm Browning) as adequate. Making an informed decision about what caliber you will use requires experience. Shoot many different calibers and choose the biggest caliber that you can comfortably shoot and make fast, accurate followup shots with. 6. **Don't completely disregard a .22 if your objective is home defense.** A semi-automatic .22 pistol or Ruger 10/22 carbine with a high-capacity magazine is easy to control when shooting fast and can be very effective at close range (most home-defense shots occur at less than 7 yards), and .22 ammunition is very cheap. Furthermore, a .22 won't penetrate as many walls, thus reducing property damage and risk to your neighbors if you miss. 7. **When making your decision, also keep in mind the cost of ammunition!** You'll want to be able to easily afford enough ammunition to keep up a regular practice routine. 8. **Handguns come in all shapes and sizes.** From derringers that are only two or three inches long, to what are jokingly called "hand cannons" that can be 12 or more inches long. 9. **For those who are expecting to carry a concealed handgun, a lighter, polymer framed firearm is often preferred over a heavier metal framed firearm because the weight of the firearm can become burdensome over time.** Heavier belts are available, however, to mitigate the effect of weight. Smaller handguns also aid concealment as they are easier to hide under clothing. 10. **For home defense, or openly carried handguns, it makes sense to have a larger frame.** The longer slide will aid accuracy by increasing the distance between the front and rear sights, and the heavier weight will reduce recoil and allow for faster followup shots. 11. **Choosing a mid-sized frame can allow for more versatility, owing to a compromise between weight and size that will allow you to use the handgun in more roles.** 12. **Pistols represent newer handgun technology than revolvers (though John Browning invented the idea of a slide enclosed barrel around 1900).** Many law enforcement and militaries around the world rely on pistols for their sidearms. 13. **A pistol usually keeps its ammunition in a spring loaded box of metal called a magazine (not a clip as is commonly misunderstood).** The pistol primes itself for the next shot through the action of a slide - a piece of metal that covers the barrel. The forces of the gasses propelling the bullet from the barrel after it is fired push backwards on the slide, causing it to travel to the rear and pulling/ejecting the spent shell from the gun, at which time a spring compressed by the rearward action pushes the slide forward, which causes the slide to catch the rear of another cartridge from the magazine, pushing it into the barrel. 14. **Early pistols were plagued by reliability problems.** In the past 50 years, however, the reliability of semi-automatic handguns has improved markedly as compared to revolvers. 15. **To some degree, a more expensive, name brand handgun may perform more reliably than a very inexpensive one.** While you don't have to spend thousands of dollars, expect to pay at least $400US for a brand new semi-automatic handgun with a reasonable level of quality. 16. **Cost is not the only consideration though; the best gun is the one you actually have with you - it's better to have an inexpensive gun that no gun at all (assuming it's reliable).** 17. **Pistols have a number of advantages over revolvers:** They are magazine fed, which means that after you have depleted anywhere between 5 and 33 rounds (depending on the model of the handgun, the capacity of the magazine, and applicable state/local laws), you can quickly change magazines and get back into the fight. (Note that this only holds true for as many magazines as you have pre-loaded with ammunition. Reloading a magazine under stress with loose rounds can take a painfully long amount of time, or be nearly impossible to complete due to the decreased motor skills caused by the effects of large amounts of adrenaline.) The force required to operate the slide on the firearm makes them much more desirable for multiple-shot encounters as the slide's action dampens the recoil to some degree. This allows for faster and more accurate follow-up shots. The rearward action of the slide as it ejects the spent casing reduces the overall recoil from firing the round due to its action reducing the energy created by accelerating the bullet down the barrel. 18. **There are also disadvantages to pistols:** Pistols are more difficult to operate safely. Clearing the handgun (removing the ammunition to make it "safe") takes more steps and discipline than a revolver. The mechanical operation of pistols is more complex than that of revolvers, creating more opportunities for the failure of one or more components to disable the pistol. As you might imagine, stoppages of this nature in a life-threatening situation can be very problematic. In the case where a cartridge fails to feed properly into the chamber, a pistol is rendered inoperable until the stoppage is cleared, whereas with a revolver, pulling the trigger again when a cartridge fails to fire will rotate the cylinder, bringing a new cartridge into line with the firing pin. This drawback to a pistol requires extra training and practice ensure the steps to clear the stoppage and return the firearm to working order can be performed instinctually. The multiple moving parts of a pistol means that in general, they are chambered for less powerful calibers than Revolvers. 19. **Revolvers have been a popular firearm choice since they were invented.** Their ultra-simple mechanics make them very easy to manufacture, and their basic design has been around for centuries. 20. **Revolvers allow you to fire between four and eight rounds in succession without reloading.** Ammunition is stored in a round piece of metal called a "cylinder", which rotates when the hammer is cocked or the trigger is pulled (depending on the "action" of the revolver). If a round fails to fire, simply cocking the hammer or pulling the trigger again (depending on the capabilities of the revolver) will rotate the cylinder for a new cartridge. 21. **The advantages to choosing a revolver:** Reliability is the most attractive feature of a revolver. A standard shooter would have a hard time making a spurless (hammerless), double-action revolver not shoot when the trigger is pulled. The design is simple, and the use is even simpler: pick up a loaded gun, disengage the safety (if applicable), and pull the trigger, and it will fire. Simpler operation means that a new shooter is more easily able to unload a revolver. Removing all of the ammunition from the cylinder quickly unloads the gun. Revolvers also generally are chambered in more powerful calibers than their semi-automatic counterparts. .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum revolvers are extremely popular and pack a great deal of energy when fired. 22. **Disadvantages to revolvers include:** Reloading a revolver is a very dexterous operation and it may take some time. Even speed loaders require practice and still are not as fast as changing out a preloaded magazine as you can do with a pistol. Cylinders often can not hold nearly as many cartridges as pistol magazines, meaning one must reload more often in the rare event of a prolonged firefight. One should note, however, that most self-defense encounters require less than four or five shots. Although they may be more "reliable" they are by no means more rugged. The mechanism for DA revolvers require clockwork precision. As pointed out by renowned firearms trainer Massad Ayoob, auto-pistols are superior in dealing with grit and grime (such as chunks of gore etc.) 23. **Handguns take skill and practice to use.** If you are not willing to devote time and effort to learn the skills, don't endanger others by trying to use one under stress. Handgun marksmanship is considered a sport because it takes training and skill. 24. **For first time handgun owners, revolvers are probably the better choice as they are simpler.** Typically they hold 5-6 rounds which is enough so that you will not have to reload during most home defense incidents. 25. **For more experienced users, or users willing to take a formal instruction, a semi-automatic handgun may make more sense due to their increased capacity and easier follow-up shots.** Operation takes a bit more learning and practice, but the positives are why the majority of law enforcement and military personnel carry semi-automatic handguns. 26. **Every person is different.** A firearm that "fits" my hand perfectly will not feel right to you. Most firearm owners are happy to allow a novice to try a couple of shots. Do your research, test fire a few weapons before you invest. 27. **When hunting, a larger caliber may be required as many dangerous game have tough skin and muscles the need the extra energy to penetrate through skin and muscle to reach vital organs.** Many lower-power cartridges may not penetrate deeply enough to cause incapacitating damage. 28. **It has been said, "Pack a handgun for the unexpected, but if you know you'll be in a gunfight, always grab a bigger gun!"** Handguns lack power. A high-end .44 Magnum pistol will produce about 1,000 ft/lb of muzzle energy; a traditional "varmint" caliber, the .223, will produce about 50% more energy, and high-end rifles produce over 10,000 ft/lb! 29. **The main advantages of long guns are power and accuracy.** With a bit of practice, a decent shooter can hit a man sized target at greater than 300 yards (274.3 m) with the proper rifle, due to the more powerful round, longer barrel and the longer sight-base (the distance between the front and rear sights). 30. **Shotguns can have either smooth or rifled bores.** They are used to fire large caliber "shells" that contain either shot (a multiple quantity of metal pellets) or a single large slug. 31. **The advantages of a shotgun:** The biggest benefit of shotguns is their ability to shoot shot (and just about anything else). The spreading out of the shot when fired allows a larger area to be hit with each trigger pull, reducing the requirement for precision shooting, and, depending on the type of ammunition and range, can cause greater damage than a single bullet from a handgun. Some shotguns have the flexibility of shooting shot or bullet-type projectiles (known as "slugs"). This allows them to have the characteristics of rifles but also the option to use shot depending on the situation. Shotguns, like many long guns, are also customizable and versatile. Most modern shotguns can be outfitted with different length barrels, stocks, fore ends, sights and many other accessories to fit your needs. The use of chokes, a narrowing "funnel"-like section at the end of the barrel, allows you to control how much the shot disperses out of the end of the barrel. Some shotguns have threading or another method at the end of the barrel to allow you to easily change a choke depending on your needs. For defensive use, cylinder bore (or basically no choke at all) and sometimes improved cylinder (IC) chokes are most common. These allow the shot to spread out quickly and increase the chance of hitting your target. However, at longer ranges (greater than 20yds or so) the shot spreads out too much and will not be able to guarantee a good hit. Another benefit of shooting shot from a shotgun is the inherent lack of penetration. For home protection, lighter shot will likely become less than lethal once it goes through a wall, protecting innocent family members or neighbors. Typically, the penetration is proportional to the size of the shot (for example, large buckshot is still capable of substantial penetration.) Although the "best" size is a hotly debated topic, smaller bird shot and skeet/clay target sized shot at close range can be very effective. Shotgun barrels range in length from 18.5 inch (47.0 cm) "home defense" barrels to 24 inch (61.0 cm) hunting barrels. Also, many shotguns are made so the barrel can be changed easily. This way, you can put a short barrel on for home defense, and a long barrel for hunting or busting clays. Don't forget to practice with your short barrel, though. 32. **There are some disadvantages as well:** Although a shotgun firing shot will produce a spread much larger than a solid projectile, it does not preclude the need to aim. At normal household room distances, the shot spread, even with no choke, is barely the size of a softball. Unless you are using slugs, shotguns are useless at longer ranges. Between the spreading of the shot, and the light weight of the pellets, the power of the weapon drops off precipitously as range increases. That said, most self defense encounters happen well within range of a shotgun. Shotguns with heavy loads, such as 00 buck, can kick pretty hard, making them potentially difficult to control without practice. 33. **Rifles are what most people envision when they think of a long gun.** Rifles are designed to fire a single projectile, often smaller than most pistol bullets, at a much higher rate of speed. 34. **Rifles have a smaller cousin called a "carbine".** Carbines are usually lighter in weight, and are shorter barreled (and stocked) than full blown rifles. They often fire the same cartridges, however due to their length they are often chambered in smaller, less powerful calibers. 35. **Rifle advantages:** Unlike pistol bullets, which typically create narrow permanent wound channels, the greatly increased speed of rifle bullets create a shock wave that can permanently destroy large amounts of tissue, greatly increasing your chances of stopping the threat with a single reasonably placed shot. Rifle cartridges are far more powerful than handgun cartridges. This greater power means you can shoot effectively at a much longer distance. Rifles still require a good deal of precision, but the dexterity needed for a pistol is not necessary, and stopping power is much improved. 36. **The disadvantages of a rifle:** As with any long gun, maneuverability is greatly reduced due to its overall length. Home defense situations may require you to place the stock below your shoulder, reducing your accuracy. Movement around corners and through doors may be hampered by your barrel preceding you through the door, warning an enemy that you're there. Rifles are also more capable of "over penetration". This is where the bullet passes through an object, such as a wall, or your intended target and continue on with enough force to injure or kill. Over penetration can be mitigated through proper ammunition choice, but is always a serious consideration with rifles. Rifle ammunition is much more expensive than handgun ammunition. This can mean that it is more expensive to practice with your rifle, and reduce the amount of training and practice you can afford. The overall length of rifles also means that they are slower to aim than a handgun due to their weight. Compared to a pistol, swinging a rifle around to engage a threat can take longer, and in a self defense situation, lost time can be deadly. 37. **Carrying a long gun is more difficult, due to its size and weight, but the greater velocity and power of the bullets delivers much better results with a hit than a handgun.** 38. **That said, for defense within the home, the shotgun is generally recognized by many to be a superior choice due to the close ranges and reduced likelihood of over penetration.** The sound of a shotgun being racked delivers the universal message that says "wrong house, go away".

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How to Remove Temporary Tattoos

Temporary tattoos are great for kids, a costume party, or for a night where you just feel like looking hardcore without the commitment of a real tattoo but they can be stubborn to get off. Whatever your reason for putting a temporary tattoo on, at some point it will start to peel and you'll want to remove it. Follow these different methods to rub, peel, and soak your tattoo away. 1. **Apply a small amount of baby oil to the temporary tattoo.** Keep in mind that most temporary tattoos are able to stand up to water and soap, so oil is generally the best way to go if you want to scrub a temporary tattoo off. You could also try to use a face or body scrub. The beads from the scrub should help remove the tattoo from your skin. Alternatively, you can use special temporary tattoo remover wipes like Limisan. Those wipes contain silicons which ensure easy removal of the temporary tattoo. Alternatively, you can pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or piece of paper towel. Be aware that rubbing alcohol may burn a bit. If you do not have baby oil, you can use olive oil on your tattoo as well. 2. **Let the baby oil sit on the tattoo for a minute.** Doing this will allow the baby oil to soak into the tattoo (and your skin) making it easier to rub the temporary tattoo away. 3. **Get a washcloth and rub the tattoo vigorously.** The tattoo should begin to become clumpy and start to peel off and rub away. Keep rubbing until all of the temporary tattoo has been removed. You can use a paper towel in place of a washcloth. 4. **Wash the remaining oil off with warm water and soap.** Wash your skin until there is no oil left. Pat the area dry with a towel. 5. **Rip several pieces of tape off of its roll.** Clear tape, such as Scotch tape, works better than masking or painter’s tape. Hang the tape pieces by one end off of the side of a table or counter (wherever you will be working). 6. **Press a piece of tape down onto the temporary tattoo.** Make sure that you press it down firmly so that it attaches to the surface of the temporary tattoo. Use a finger to rub the tape down along your skin. 7. **Peel the tape off of your skin.** The temporary tattoo should peel off with the tape. This process might take several tries, particularly if it is a large temporary tattoo. 8. **Rub an ice cube on the spot where the temporary tattoo was.** Do this after all of the temporary tattoo has been removed. Doing this will reduce the redness caused by peeling the tape from your skin. 9. **Apply cold cream to the temporary tattoo.** Make sure that the tattoo is fully covered by the cream. 10. **Let the cold cream sink into the skin.** You should leave the cream on for an hour or so to make sure that it thoroughly works its magic on the temporary tattoo. 11. **Rub the cold cream away with a washcloth.** Use warm water and soap to remove any remaining cold cream. 12. **Wet a cotton ball with nail polish remover.** If you do not have nail polish remover, you can also use rubbing alcohol. 13. **Rub the temporary tattoo with the cotton ball.** Scrub at the tattoo so that it begins to flake off of your skin. You may need to wet the cotton ball again or get a new cotton ball, depending on how large your temporary tattoo is. 14. **Wash your skin with warm water and soap.** Use a washcloth to rinse your skin where your temporary tattoo was. Use warm water and soap to remove any of the acetone left behind by the nail polish remover. 15. **Soak make up remover into a cotton ball.** 16. **Rub over the temporary tattoo.** Rub gently. 17. **Wash off with soap and warm water.** 18. **Allow to air dry or dab with a soft towel.** 19. **Repeat if needed.**

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How to Win at the Game Risk

Risk is a fun, challenging game, but it can be difficult to win. If you are new to the game, then you may have an even harder time of winning the game. The first thing you should do is make sure that you are familiar with the rules of Risk. For basics of gameplay, see How to Play Risk. After you have mastered the basics, you can also improve your chances of winning by learning more about the strategies involved in Risk and getting lots of practice. 1. **Conquer continents wisely.** While it is good to try to conquer continents early in the game, you should be careful about which continents you decide to conquer. There are advantages and disadvantages to each continent, but the main thing to consider is the isolation of a continent. More isolated continents may be easier to maintain, but they are also more difficult to expand from. Therefore, you should choose a continent that is in line with your strategy. For example, Australia is easy to conquer and maintain because of how isolated it is, but it is also hard to expand from Australia. Also, since it only gives you a bonus of 2 per turn, you may fall prey to more powerful plays later in the game. For these reasons, conquering Australia may offer you an advantage, but only if you feel capable of overcoming its disadvantage. 2. **Pay attention to the army bonus that you get for each continent.** Some continents are much more beneficial to hold than others because you will get a better army bonus each turn. Before you begin trying to conquer a continent, find out how many armies you will get as a bonus for holding that continent. For example, Europe gives you a bonus of 5 armies per turn for holding the continent, while Africa gives you a bonus of 3 armies per turn. Keep in mind that while Asia has the highest bonus of 7 per turn it also has 12 territories that need to be held, the highest number in the game. 3. **Attack with the right amount of armies.** Knowing how many armies to use in an attack on an opponent can be a big boost to your chances of winning. A good general rule in attacking an enemy territory is to use as many armies as you can to attack your opponent's territory. This will increase your chances of winning and overtaking the territory. Keep in mind that you will need to move these armies to an adjacent territory or a territory connected by a sea line before you begin your attack. For example, if an opponent has two armies on a territory that you want, then you should attack that territory with the maximum amount of armies you can attack with, three. 4. **Determine how many armies to keep on each territory.** In most cases, you will benefit from having most of your armies on your border territories. Concentrating your armies in this way helps to reduce the chances that you will have a weak spot and be overtaken by an opponent. The territories within your borders can have fewer armies, but try to avoid having a single weak spot that an opponent may try to target. 5. **Count your opponents’ armies at the end of each turn.** It is a good idea to keep track of how many armies your opponents have by counting them after every turn. Doing so will help you to determine who is the weakest and who is the strongest player at all times. Try not to count out loud or let your opponents see you counting their armies or they may become suspicious of you. 6. **Block opponent territories within your own territories.** If you get the opportunity to surround an opponent’s territory with your territories, take it. Doing so will allow you to conquer that territory without fear of immediate retaliation. Blocking in an opponent’s territory will also prevent your other opponents from conquering a territory that you want. 7. **Nail neighboring contents to prevent them from becoming too powerful.** If one of your opponents is becoming strong and/or is close to conquering an entire continent, then you may want to consider a nailing strategy to slow him or her down. Nailing is when you place a large force on an opponent’s continent to disrupt his or her strategy. Doing so will slow the opponent down and prevent him or her from advancing too quickly, allowing you to stop them. 8. **Form an alliance with a player of equivalent strength.** Alliances are very helpful in Risk. When you form an alliance with a fellow player, you can team up against other stronger opponents and have more success in your conquests. Just keep in mind that you may have to fight against each other if you both survive to the end of the game, so the alliance is a temporary measure. If your ally has taken more territory than you, consider a surprise attack on their territory as a betrayal in hopes of taking their territory over. 9. **Try to earn your fellow players’ trust.** If you are deceptive or dishonest, your fellow players may target you more often or be reluctant to negotiate with you. Therefore, it is in your best interest to be honest and try to earn your fellow players’ trust. Avoid lying or making and breaking promises, especially early on in the game. If you often play with the same people, keep in mind that they may remember past deceitful practices in future games that you play with them. 10. **Negotiate with your opponents whenever possible.** If you and some other players are competing for a group of territories, then you may end up battling it out until one of you is out of the game. Instead of fighting with a neighboring player over land, try to negotiate with that player to reduce your chances of getting wiped out early in the game unless you are just too ruthless in Risk to want to negotiate. Try to make a treaty with another player. For example, if you have the majority of your armies on Africa and another player has the majority of his or her armies on South America, then you can agree to leave each other alone until you have both had a chance to expand your territories to the north. 11. **Make sure that you understand the rules.** If you are new to Risk, then gaining a thorough understanding of the rules may help you to play a better game. Understanding the rules may also help you to catch your opponents is they try to cheat or bend the rules in their favor. Read the rulebook carefully to make sure that you have a good understanding of how to play Risk. 12. **Play often and with more experienced players.** The more you play, the more you will be able to work on your game strategy, so play as often as you can. It is also a good idea to try to play with more experienced players who are willing to share their knowledge with you. 13. **Use the three basic strategies described in the Risk rulebook.** The Risk rulebook offers three strategies for players that may help you when you are just getting familiar with the game. Try to use these strategies every time that you play the game and your game will improve. The three pieces of strategic advice given to players by the Risk rulebook include: Hold entire continents to earn bonus reinforcements. The more army reinforcements that you have, the more powerful you are. Therefore, you should try to get as main reinforcements as possible. Watch your borders for enemy armies. If one of your opponent’s is going to attack you, he or she will probably start to gather forces along one of your borders. So send an equally or larger force to protect your territory. Fortify your borders against enemy attack. Make sure that you place reinforcements along your borders to make it harder for enemies to penetrate your territory.

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How to Prepare for Competitive Exams

Competitive exams can seem daunting, but if you employ smart strategies to prepare for the exam, the process can be much more manageable. To prepare for competitive exams, buy or find online test preparation materials for the specific test you are taking, take a diagnostic practice test to see what you need to practice, and then make a timeline and outline of your study plan. Learning general tips for studying, relaxation, and keeping healthy will also help you prepare for your test holistically. 1. **Enroll in an in person course.** There are in person classes that you can take that are given by the Princeton Review for the ACT, for example. These classes are great because some students benefit from the sense of accountability that you get from a traditional class setting. These classes can vary in length, but for the Princeton Review course, it lasts 6 sessions. To enroll, you go online and find a website for the course you want to take, enter where you live, and the dates you are interested in taking the class to find a class near you. The Princeton Review course gives 4 practice tests so that you can measure your progress and target your problem areas. Most other test prep courses will offer something similar for you to chart your progress. These classes tend to be expensive but will often include the cost of the study materials that you will be needing. Do the homework associated with these courses in order to score the best you can. If you live in a rural area, you may need to commute to a city to take the tests. 2. **Enroll in a test preparation program online.** There are many online websites, some of them free and others at a cost, you can sign up with that will prepare you for the test you are taking. For example, for the ACT, there is a website that prepares you for the ACT through videos, text lessons, practice tests that simulate the real test, and games to help you study and keep you engaged. 3. **Buy study materials, and study the material on your own.** For the ACT, for example, there are different kinds of study guides you can buy depending on your need, and this is the same with many other tests. The following are different types of study materials for the ACT: critical books are study guides are for anyone trying to improve their scores, regardless of skill level or areas of strength/weakness; subject training books will help you focus on one specific area of the test, for example, English, Reading, Math or Science; books for top scorers are for those who want an extra push to get their score to the top; and last, books for people who score low and/or only want to work for a short amount of time. Avoid these 5 hour type short study guides unless you only need to improve your score a small amount. Purchase your materials from book stores, online, or check them out from a library. Research the best study guides for the specific test you are preparing for and your needs. 4. **Get good rest the night before you test and on studying days.** Ensure that you get a full 8 hours of sleep before your exam. Getting a bad night's sleep can have a marked negative impact on your test score. Regularly not getting good sleep can create stress and cause you to get sick more often. 5. **Backward plan to figure out when you need to go to bed or get up.** One technique that can help you get to bed on time is backward planning. Start from the time you want to be at your test site or studying the next day, and mentally go through all the things you need to do leading up to that time. Plan backward to figure out when you need to realistically be in bed by to get enough sleep. Consider how long it takes you to fall asleep, typically, and make sure you account for that time. Add some cushion time in your backward planning for your test day in case something unexpected happens, like you get lost trying to get to a test site. 6. **Eat brain foods and complex carbs.** Eat complex carbs for brain power. If you are distracted by your hunger during your test or while you study, you won’t be able to focus as well. To combat this, on the day of the test and before you study, eat food high in protein, like eggs, and/or whole grains that will stick with you for several hours, like oatmeal. If you have a break during your test, pack a light snack, like an apple, that will keep you alert. On the day of the test, eat complex carbohydrates like oatmeal rather than candy made up of simple carbohydrates and sugar. Eat a serving of omega 3’s three times a week. To help you study better and prepare for your test, consider incorporating omega 3’s into your diet. These nutrients have been found to boost your ability to concentrate and stay alert. You can get these nutrients from salmon, herring, mackerel, trout and sardines. Eat dark veggies and fruits for antioxidants that help your cognitive abilities. Oxidants will damage your cell membranes and fruit like blueberries are a great example of a fruit high in antioxidants that protect your brain cells. 7. **Start an exercise routine.** To help with your mental well being as well as your physical health, try to incorporate about 2 ½ hours of moderately intense (power walking, cycling) exercise into your schedule per week. This will help you relax and concentrate on your test and studies. If you are interested in sports, often times there are intramural teams that meet at parks that you can play on for free or little cost. Inquire at your school or local parks department. Consider renting a workout DVD from the library or doing a video workout online with friends or family every day or every other day. If you feel like you don’t have the time, take 15 minute walks around your campus when you need a break. This will help you focus better once you get back to studying. Go on jogs first thing in the morning to give you energy. Look for ways to get exercise without going out of your way. For example, if you are in school, walk to class rather than taking a bus, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. 8. **Take a diagnostic practice test.** Most competitive exams are composed of different parts. For example, the GRE is comprised of math, verbal, and essay components. In order to do targeted studying and practice you need to best prepare for the test, you will need to take a practice test to determine which areas of the test you need to focus on the most. In your test prep books, you can typically find diagnostic practice tests. There are also many websites, like collegeboard.org for the SAT, which provide practice tests for competitive exams. These online tests will score your tests for you. Take the practice test under test like conditions. This means time your test, put away electronics, refrain from listening to music, and sit in a desk/space that will be similar to the environment of the test. 9. **Practice the essay portion of the test.** If your test includes a writing portion, be sure to practice writing your essay in the time that will be allotted. Make sure you practice writing an outline and planning what you will write about during your practice as well. 10. **Make an outline to structure your study plan.** You will need to make a realistic study plan based on what test you are taking, and the amount of time experts say you will need to do to prepare. Some competitive tests like the GRE take months to prepare for, for example. Sit down with your study materials, and make an outline of the big topics/areas you need to study for the test. 11. **Backward plan which areas of the test you will study and for how long.** Having a plan and staying consistent in studying and doing targeted practice are going to be key for success on competitive exams. Typically, you will need to block off large, regular chunks of time in your schedule for studying. According to your outline, break down how much material you will need to study per session, approximately. Start with the most important material and work toward the less important material to make sure the important content gets covered before the test. 12. **Use a calendar app like Google Calendar to make a schedule.** You can sign up for a Gmail account if you do not have one and want the app. Go to your Calendar app located in the apps directory in the upper right corner of your Gmail account. Go to "Create" and schedule an "Event" to put the study schedule on your Calendar app. Check and update your calendar regularly to remind yourself of your study schedule. Google Calendar has an email reminders option that you can use to remind yourself of your schedule. Revise your schedule as needed. If something comes up and you are unable to study, look at your calendar and revise the study plan. Make room in your schedule to study at another time so that you can cover the material and keep on pace in your studies. 13. **Clear your plate of obligations.** In order to gear up for taking a competitive test, you should carve out room in your schedule for you to study regularly. Explain to your friends and family that you will be concentrating on preparing for a test. Take whatever steps you need to give yourself the time and space you need to focus regularly on studying. 14. **Keep track of your progress by taking practice tests.** Every couple of weeks, or as often as recommended, take a practice test, and then go back through and look at the questions you missed. If your answer sheet tells you what kind of question it was, take note. If not, do your best to determine what kind of problems you are missing, and look for patterns in the mistakes you are making so that you know what to focus on in your studying. When testing, don’t consider each question unique. There are different types of questions that recur in tests. For example, on the English portion of the ACT, test questions come from these categories: grammar & usage, punctuation, sentence structure, strategy, organization, and style. 15. **Study the areas you are weak in.** Take more time studying the concepts that you are having trouble with. For example, if you are having difficulty correctly answering the questions about sentence structure in the ACT, use your practice book to study lessons on sentence structure. Consider getting help from someone who is strong in the area you are struggling in, like a teacher or a friend. 16. **Stay focused on your outline.** The stress that comes from studying for competitive tests can be overwhelming at times because of the amount that you have to study. Make sure to combat that stress by concentrating on studying one lesson at a time. Remind yourself that you have to go through this test prep one step at a time, and don’t let yourself worry about mastering the whole test in a short period of time. Do not try to learn everything at once, cramming will not help you deeply understand the content you are learning. 17. **Remove distractions while you study.** One way to make the practice of studying more manageable is if you set up a routine of removing all distractions from your study space. Looking at your phone or computer will break your focus and ability to study well. Make sure that you put all of your electronics away and that you are working in a space that will help you focus. For example, there should be no televisions or distractions in the background. 18. **Study in different spaces.** New research is showing that people retain more information if they study in different locations. You will be able to focus better when you change your scenery because it keeps your alert. For example, you can move from one room in your house to another when you find yourself losing momentum. Try to go to spaces that have a different feel. For example, you might want to switch between rooms painted different colors and/or with different lighting. 19. **Reframe your mindset when you feel bored.** Consider the things you could learn from studying this material, and focus on the positive rather than dwelling on your feelings of boredom. Think about the potential ways you could apply this information to your life or find it useful. 20. **Psych yourself down.** When we get ready for a test either by studying or taking the test, oftentimes we tense up by instinct. Oftentimes tensing up is a habit we have had for years, and it makes studying or taking a test more difficult than it needs to be. This is because we become overly aroused by our nervousness, and it makes it harder to concentrate on what we need to do. To combat this negative instinct, try these simple techniques to help you to relax: Tense up your muscles briefly and then release. Tense all of your muscles, for example, close your eyes tight, raise your toes up, clench your fists, tense your legs, clench your buttocks, etc. Breathe in a deep breath, and hold it in for a few seconds while your body remains tense. After about 5 seconds, let go all at once, and enjoy the sensation of releasing your built up tension. Close your eyes and concentrate on the tip of your nose with your eyes. Pay attention to your breathing. Notice how the breath that you breathe in is cooler and the breathe you breath out warmer. Continue breathing in and out and maintaining your focus on your nose until you calm down.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-Competitive-Exams", "language": "en"}

How to Unsubscribe from Spam

Sometimes, you just happen to receive a lot of spam emails, and they can be annoying. In this wikiHow teaches you how to delete spam mail from your email inbox, as well as how to avoid it in the future. Marking enough emails from a sender as "spam" usually leads to future emails from that sender being moved to the "Spam" folder immediately. 1. **Refrain from giving out your email address when possible.** Naturally, you'll use your email address for social networks, bank accounts, and official websites (e.g., work services). However, if you can avoid entering your email on sites you only intend to use once or twice, you'll notice a significant reduction in the number of emails you receive. 2. **Look for an "unsubscribe" button in emails.** When you receive an email from a service such as LinkedIn, Best Buy, or a blog site, you can usually opt out of future correspondence by opening one of their emails, finding a link or button that says "Unsubscribe", and clicking it. The "unsubscribe" button may say something like "Click here to stop receiving these emails" or something similar. After clicking the "unsubscribe" button or link, you will likely be redirected to another webpage to confirm your decision. 3. **Create a secondary email account for spam.** There are times at which you'll need to provide a working email address to a service in order to prove that you're an active Internet user. To avoid receiving spam from other services that may purchase your email address from the original service, you can use an email address separate from your main account. This doesn't apply to official accounts like Facebook, Google, and so on. 4. **Block a spam sender's email address** The process for doing this varies depending on the email provider you're using, but you can typically do so from within the desktop version of the offending email. 5. **Open Gmail.** It's a white app with a red "M" on the front. If you aren't logged into Gmail, first enter your email address and password. 6. **Tap and hold a spam email.** After a moment, it will be selected. If you need to switch inboxes or accounts, first tap in the top-left corner of the screen and select the folder or account from the pop-out menu. 7. **Tap any other spam emails.** Doing so will select them as well. 8. **Tap ….** It's in the top-right corner of the screen. You'll see a drop-down menu appear. 9. **Tap Report spam.** This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. Your selected emails will be moved from their folder into the "Spam" folder, and similar emails in the future will be moved to the "Spam" folder automatically. You may have to categorize emails from this sender as spam a few times before Gmail begins moving them to the "Spam" folder of its own volition. 10. **Tap ☰.** It's in the top-left corner of the screen. 11. **Tap Spam.** You'll see this folder toward the bottom of the pop-out menu; you may first need to scroll down in order to find it. 12. **Tap EMPTY SPAM NOW.** It's on the right side of the screen, directly above the top email in the "Spam" folder. 13. **Tap OK when prompted.** Your selected spam will be permanently deleted from your Gmail account. 14. **Open Gmail.** It's a white app with a red "M" on the front. If you aren't logged into Gmail, first enter your email address and password. 15. **Tap and hold a spam email.** After a moment, it will be selected. If you need to switch inboxes or accounts, first tap in the top-left corner of the screen and select the folder or account from the pop-out menu. 16. **Tap any other spam emails.** Doing so will select them as well. 17. **Tap ⋮.** It's in the top-right corner of the screen. You'll see a pop-out menu appear. 18. **Tap Report spam.** This option is at the bottom of the pop-out menu. 19. **Tap REPORT SPAM & UNSUBSCRIBE.** Doing this will both move your email to the "Spam" folder and unsubscribe you from its mailing list. If you don't see , just tap . 20. **Tap ☰.** It's in the top-left corner of the screen. 21. **Tap Spam.** You'll see this folder toward the bottom of the pop-out menu; you may first need to scroll down in order to find it. 22. **Tap EMPTY SPAM NOW.** It's on the right side of the screen, directly above the top email in the "Spam" folder. 23. **Tap Delete when prompted.** Your selected spam will be permanently deleted from your Gmail account. 24. **Go to the Gmail website.** You can do so by visiting https://mail.google.com/. If you're already logged into your Gmail account, doing so will open your inbox. If you aren't logged in, enter your email address and password before continuing. 25. **Click the box to the left of a spam email.** This will select the email. If you want to select multiple emails, repeat this process for each email. To select every email in your inbox, click the box icon above the "Primary" tab. 26. **Click the stop sign icon.** It has an exclamation mark in the middle of it; you'll see it to the left of the trash icon. Clicking this will move all selected emails to the "Spam" folder. 27. **Click Spam.** This option is in the list of options on the right side of the page. You may first have to click to view . 28. **Click the "Delete all spam messages now" link.** It's at the top of the inbox. Doing so will permanently delete all emails in the "Spam" folder. 29. **Open Mail.** It's a blue app with a white envelope on it. Mail is a pre-installed app on all iPhones, iPads, and iPods. 30. **Tap Edit.** It's in the top-right corner of the screen. If Mail opens to the "Mailboxes" page, first tap an inbox. 31. **Tap each spam email.** Doing so will select each email you tap. 32. **Tap Mark.** It's in the bottom-left corner of the screen. You'll see a pop-up menu appear. 33. **Tap Mark as Junk.** Your selected emails will be moved to the "Junk" folder. 34. **Tap the "Back" button.** This will take you back to the "Mailboxes" page. 35. **Tap Junk.** Doing so will open the "Junk" folder. You should see your recently marked emails in here. If you're using more than one email inbox in the Mail app, make sure the "Junk" folder you open is beneath the proper inbox's heading. 36. **Tap Edit.** It's in the top-right corner of the screen. 37. **Tap Delete All.** You'll see this option in the bottom-right corner of the screen. 38. **Tap Delete All when prompted.** This will delete all mail from your "Junk" folder. 39. **Go to the iCloud Mail site.** It's located at https://www.icloud.com/#mail. If you're already signed into iCloud, doing so will take you to your iCloud inbox. If you aren't signed in, enter your iCloud email address and password and click →. 40. **Click an email you wish to mark as spam.** This will open the email on the right side of the webpage. You can hold down Ctrl or ⌘ Command and click emails to select multiple emails at once. 41. **Click the flag icon.** It's at the top of the open email. Doing so will prompt a drop-down menu. 42. **Click Move to Junk.** Your selected emails will be moved to iCloud's "Junk" folder. 43. **Click Junk.** It's a tab on the left side of the page. 44. **Click an email.** If you moved multiple emails to the "Junk" folder, select all of them. 45. **Click the trash can icon.** It's near the flag icon at the top of the email side of the screen. Doing so will delete all selected emails. 46. **Open Yahoo Mail.** It's a purple app with a white envelope and "YAHOO!" written below it. If you're logged into Yahoo, this will take you to the inbox. If you aren't logged in, first enter your Yahoo email address and password. 47. **Press and hold an email.** Doing so will select it after a moment. 48. **Tap other spam emails.** They will be selected as you tap them. 49. **Tap ….** It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen. 50. **Tap Mark as spam.** This option is at the bottom of the screen. Doing so will move your selected emails to the "Spam" folder. 51. **Tap ☰.** It's either in the top-left corner of the screen (iPhone) or on the left side of the "Inbox" search bar (Android) 52. **Scroll down and tap the trash icon to the right of Spam.** This option will prompt a pop-up window. If you don't see the trash icon, tap , select any emails in the folder, and tap the trash can icon. 53. **Tap OK.** All emails in the "Spam" folder will be deleted. 54. **Go to the Yahoo website.** It's located at https://www.yahoo.com/. Doing so will open the Yahoo home page. 55. **Click Mail.** You'll see this option in the top-right corner of the page. This will take you to the inbox. If you aren't signed into Yahoo, click near the top-right corner of the page and enter your email address and password. 56. **Click the box to the left of a spam email.** Doing so will select it. You can do this for all spam emails in your inbox. Click the box icon above the top email on the left side of the page to select all emails in your inbox. 57. **Click Spam.** It's in the toolbar near the top of your inbox. This option moves all selected emails to the "Spam" folder. 58. **Click the trash can icon right of the "Spam" folder.** This folder is on the left side of the webpage, directly below the "Archive" folder. 59. **Click OK when prompted.** Doing so will permanently remove all emails in the "Spam" folder from your Yahoo account. 60. **Go to the Outlook website.** It's at the following url: https://www.outlook.com/. If you're logged into Outlook, doing so will take you to your inbox. If you aren't logged into Outlook, first enter your Outlook email address and password. You cannot mark emails as spam on the Outlook mobile app. 61. **Click the box to the left of a spam email.** This will select the email. Repeat this process for all emails in your inbox that you consider spam. 62. **Click Junk.** It's an option at the top of your inbox. Doing so will mark the selected email(s) as spam and move all selected items into the "Junk" folder. 63. **Click the Junk folder.** You'll find it on the left side of the page. 64. **Click Empty folder.** This button is at the top of the "Junk" folder. 65. **Click OK when prompted.** Doing so deletes all mail that's in the "Junk" folder.

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How to Get Rid of Demons

If you believe that you have demons, you might feel scared and helpless. But you can take your power back. Many religious groups and spiritualists believe demons get their power from negative energy. It’s easy to fight back by controlling your negative energy, thoughts, and emotions. Using a few simple tools and the proper rituals, you can expel demons from your home too. With these basic rituals, you can keep yourself and your home demon-free. 1. **Burn sage** Make sure all the doors and windows are open so the demons can get out, then light the sage and let it burn for 30 seconds before you blow the flame out. Allow the sage to smolder and the smoke to cleanse the space of negative energy. Waft the smoke into the corners of the room including the nooks and crannies so the negative energy can’t accumulate there. If you can’t smoke in your home or apartment, add a few drops of white sage essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water and mist the room. 2. **Say a prayer to get rid of the demons.** Whatever your religion, praying out loud can help you get rid of them. Say the prayer over and over as you move about the space so the demons are driven out. Psalm 23 is a popular verse to recite to radiate positive energy and drive the demons out. Chant your own prayer or mantra that repeats a positive intention while also banishing any demons. For example, you could say something like, “No demons are welcome in this space, I command you to leave. This is a place of light and love.” 3. **Bang pots and pans to scare away any demons in your home.** Some people bang pots and pans together at the beginning of a new year to scare away the ghosts from the previous year. But you can also drive out any demons in your home by walking around the entire place banging pots and pans loudly. Try repeating a mantra or prayer while you bang the pots and pans. 4. **Sprinkle holy water around your home.** Many people believe holy water will drive away demons. Call your local church and ask them if you can have a bottle of holy water. Sprinkle some of the water all over your home, making sure you get the corners and windows. 5. **Call a professional to help you get rid of the demons.** If you’re unable to drive the demons away on your own, you can call a priest or spiritual healer to come help you. They can come to your home or meet with you to discuss possible causes and remedies. For example, a priest or healer may be able to pray over you to help you get rid of your demons. Look online for professionals near you, but be wary of scams. Don’t give them any money until you’re satisfied that they got rid of your demons. 6. **Avoid negative films or music in your home.** If demons feed off of negative energies, then aggressive movies, music, graphic art, and other forms of violent or negative expressions can attract and feed them. Keep your space free and clear of negative energies. Keep your home and space full of kind and good energy by playing happy music and displaying art that moves you in a positive way. 7. **Charge cleansing crystals under a full moon.** Many people use crystals as a means of clearing away negative energy. Crystals placed in the light of a full moon are said to absorb the energy and “recharge.” They can then be placed around the house to ward off negative energy, which can help get rid of demons. Place the crystals on a windowsill or outside under a full moon. The best crystals for cleansing negative energy are kyanite, selenite, obsidian, hematite, and desert rose. 8. **Sprinkle salt in the corners of your house and doorways.** Salt has been used for thousands of years by different cultures to ward off evil spirits. Sprinkle salt in all of the corners in your home as well as the entrance to your home to keep demons from coming back and settling in. Add more salt every couple of months so there’s always a small amount present. 9. **Wear an item or talisman that is important to you to protect yourself.** Crosses, necklaces, and other religious items can hold power and keep demons away if they’re important to you. Wear them to protect yourself and keep them around your home to keep demons from entering. Wear your rosary to keep demons away. Some examples include a crucifix on a wall or a dream catcher above your bed. The item doesn’t have to be religious. For example, if a friend made a bracelet for you to protect you, that can work to get rid of demons, too. 10. **Identify your negative thoughts to keep demons from gathering.** Many people believe that demons feed off of negative energy, which means that you can get rid of demons by learning how to control your energy. That starts with recognizing and controlling your negative thoughts. If you’re able to recognize them, then you can counteract them. For example, if you look in a mirror and find yourself thinking that you’re ugly or a failure, take a moment to reflect and realize that these are negative thoughts. Even if negative thoughts happen automatically, you can learn to recognize them so you can stop them. Over time, you’ll get better at catching and preventing negative thoughts from happening. 11. **Think positively** Whenever you identify or recognize that you’re having negative thoughts, try to replace them with positive thoughts. If demons feed off of negative energy and thoughts, then positive thoughts will get rid of them. For instance, if you’re looking in a mirror and you realize that you’re thinking something negative about yourself, like you don’t like your nose or your skin, try replacing it with something positive by focusing on what you do like about yourself. 12. **Meditate** If you let demons scare you or make you angry, they can use that energy to gain strength and power over you. To keep them weak and drive them away, practice meditation and clear your mind of negative emotional responses like fear and anger. Focus on a positive mental image, like a peaceful sunrise, so you can radiate positive energy. Don’t let demons consume your thoughts by worrying about them all of the time, or you’re giving them exactly what they want: control over your mind. 13. **Talk to someone about your negative thoughts so you can control them.** It may be helpful for you to talk to a priest, pastor, friend, or therapist about the negative thoughts that you’re having. They may be able to help you deal with them and keep them from coming back. Prayer is also a form of communication that may allow you to talk to a higher power about your negative emotions and thoughts.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Demons", "language": "en"}

How to Make a Sling Shot

Slingshots are versatile little devices. Throughout the years, they’ve been used for everything from hunting small game to target practice in the backyard. Their dimensions and mechanics tend to vary, since they can be made from any number of different materials. However, good slingshots always have three things in common—a sturdy ‘Y’-shaped frame, an elastic band, and a small projectile that will go sailing once it’s pulled back and released. 1. **Find a sturdy, Y-shaped piece of wood.** Keep your eye out for fallen branches that can be broken or whittled into the correct shape. You can use just about any type of wood to make a slingshot, provided it’s strong enough to hold up when you pull back the sling. A piece that’s roughly 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) long and 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) thick, however, will be the most comfortable and easiest to use. Search the ground near heavily wooded areas. These places will give you the most raw materials to choose from. Stripping loose, wet, or mossy bark from the outside of the wood may give you a better grip. 2. **Dry out the wood.** Hang the frame of your slingshot over a heat source, such as a campfire or portable stove, turning it occasionally. Allow it to dry for several hours. As it heats up, the moisture it contains will slowly be released. That means that when you use the slingshot, the frame will have less give. Be extremely careful not to burn yourself when working near an open flame. Assuming you have access to household appliances, you can also wrap the damp wood in a towel and microwave it for 30 seconds at a time until the moisture has evaporated out of it. 3. **Carve a notch at the top of each prong.** Use a pocket knife or a rock with sharp edges to cut a shallow groove all the way around the arms of the ‘Y.’ Make each notch about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top of the prongs. This will provide a neat little slot for the bands you’ll be using as the sling. If the notches are higher up on the prongs, the tension from the sling could cause them to snap. If they’re too low, the projectile you’re shooting could clip the bottom of the frame. 4. **Cut an elastic band to serve as the sling.** Any thick, stretchy material that you have on hand can be converted to an effective firing mechanism. Heavy rubber bands, strips of latex sheeting, and even medical tubing are all good options, and will make for a slingshot with a lot of force. Once you’ve gotten your hands on a suitable material, double it over and cut it into two identical pieces. Each piece should be approximately the same length as the frame. The exact length of the sling will depend on your preferred shooting style, as well as the materials you have to work with. A shorter sling will generate more power, but will also be more difficult to draw back. Leaving the bands a little longer will allow you to adjust the slack or start over if you make a mistake. 5. **Attach the sling to the frame.** Take one of the two cut bands and wind it around one of the notches you carved in the prongs earlier. Then, tie it down securely. Do the same with the remaining band. Snip off the short ends of the bands to get rid of the excess length. Your handmade slingshot is now finished! To ensure that your slingshot fires accurately, make sure the loose ends are close to the same length as possible. Otherwise, the sling will be lopsided. Test the knots around the pouch to make sure they’re secure. If one of them comes loose while you’re firing the slingshot, it could result in a painful accident. 6. **Create a makeshift pouch.** Get your hands on a piece of strong cloth and trim it down to a size of about 4 inches (10 cm) wide by 2 inches (5.1 cm) high. About ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) from each end of the rectangle, open up a hole just large enough to fit the ends of the sling through. The resulting pouch will create a nest for the projectile, holding it in place until it leaves the sling. A stiff fabric that offers some resistance, like leather or thick canvas, is ideal. Use the point of a pocket knife or similar tool to bore holes in the pouch. You can also cut a small slit in the fabric, though this may tear after a few uses. 7. **Tie the sling to the pouch.** Thread the end of one band through one of the holes you punched in the pouch. Knot it tight to the outer edge. Repeat with opposite hole. The sling should now be one long piece, with the bands on either side and the pouch in the middle. If you want, you can reinforce the ends of the pouch by wrapping the bands in dental floss, then tying it off. Use a wooden slingshot to fire small stones, marbles, or metal BBs with maximum velocity. Slingshots are useful tools, but they can also be dangerous weapons. Never fire your slingshot at another person, even if you're just playing around. 8. **Cut a toilet paper roll in half lengthwise.** Run a pair of scissors up one side of the roll so that it uncurls into a single sheet. Be sure to make only a single cut—you still want the roll to be in one piece, just open. Try not to bend or crumple the cardboard tube as you cut. The smoother the edges stay, the more manageable it will be. If you don’t have a toilet paper roll on hand, you can also cut a longer paper towel roll in half, then up through the center to open it. 9. **Roll up and tape the toilet paper roll.** Put the ends of the roll together so that they overlap, then roll it up like a newspaper. When you’re finished, it should be about half the diameter of the original roll. Wrap a long strip of tape around the roll to secure it, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of cardboard exposed on one end. This piece will serve as the internal plunger for the slingshot, where you’ll load the projectiles. The inner toilet paper roll must be narrow enough to hold whatever sort of projectile you’ll be firing without it simply falling through. You may want to compare the sizes of both objects before taping up the tube. If it’s too wide, roll it up a little tighter until you get it just right. 10. **Punch two opposing holes on one end of the plunger.** These holes should be just big enough to stick a pencil through. Position them directly across from one another, not on different ends of the roll. It may help to get a top-down view of the roll to make sure that they’re lined up properly. A manual hole punch will make the cleanest openings. Assuming there isn't a hole punch around, you can bore a hole using a pair of scissors or the tip of the pencil. 11. **Insert a pencil through the holes in the plunger.** Guide the pencil into one hole and straight out through the other. It should be perfectly centered inside the roll. Keep pushing the pencil until there’s an equal length sticking out both ends. A short, stubby utensil, such as a golf pencil, will work best, since there will be less of a chance of it breaking. Be careful not to damage the holes when you’re inserting the pencil—they should be just large enough to accommodate the pencil. If either of the holes should tear, simply turn the plunger and punch two new ones. 12. **Cut a series of slits into one end of a second toilet paper roll.** Use a pencil to draw two vertical lines extending about ⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) inward from the rim of the roll. These lines should be roughly a finger’s width apart. Rotate the roll and make two identical marks on the opposite side, then cut over the lines carefully with a pair of scissors. This second tube will function as the body of the slingshot, and will fit over the more slender first roll. 13. **Loop a rubber band around either side of the roll.** Drape the rubber bands over the notched flaps so that they sit at the bottom of the slits. For this type of slingshot to work, you’ll need one rubber band on each side. You’ll get the best results using two of the same kind of rubber band. If you’ve got no choice but to make do with what you can find, try to make sure that they’re similar in size and thickness. 14. **Fit the plunger into the larger toilet paper roll.** Put the unmodified ends together, so that the pencil and rubber bands are on opposite sides. Slide the plunger in until the pencil rests against the edge of the grip. 15. **Stretch the rubber bands over the ends of the pencil.** Pull the rubber bands down carefully, one at a time, to avoid bending the flaps. Now when you load a small projectile into the outer tube and draw back on the plunger using the pencil as a grip, it will sail across the room! Keep in mind that pulling too hard on the slingshot may break it—after all, the it is made of cardboard. Your homemade slingshot can launch marshmallows, foam pom-poms, or other soft projectiles for some good, clean fun.

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How to Tie Dye a Heart

Want to make your own DIY tie-dye shirt with a heart-shaped design? Adding a heart design is incredibly easy, and you'll start by sketching a half-heart shape on a folded, pre-soaked T-shirt. After tying the garment up with rubber bands, you'll pour different colors of dye over the banded sections of the shirt. We've put together a full tutorial below to help you nail the tie dye heart technique! 1. **Soak the shirt in cold water and wring it out.** Take a clean, white T-shirt and hold it under a stream of cool running water. Drench the fabric completely before wringing it out. Check that the shirt is damp, but make sure that it’s not dripping wet. The damp shirt is better at absorbing the dye. You can also dye long-sleeve shirts and tank tops! Make sure that the fabric is white or light grey initially, so the dye will be visible. 2. **Prepare the table or other dyeing surface with plastic bags.** If you’re dyeing your shirt in your kitchen or another clean area, place plastic bags or trash liners down on the surface. Since tie dyeing can get very messy, you don’t want any excess dye getting on your furniture. If you don’t care about your surfaces getting stained, feel free to disregard this. 3. **Place the shirt on a flat surface to get rid of any wrinkles.** Take the soaked shirt and lay it on a table, countertop, or another dyeing surface. Use both hands to flatten out any wrinkles in the material. Press along both sleeves and the base of the shirt until all of the fabric is relatively wrinkle-free. If you have a lot of wrinkles in your shirt, they might affect the color placement when you go to add the dye later on. 4. **Fold the shirt in half lengthwise with the sleeves touching.** Bring both sleeves of the shirt together, and fold the shirt in the same way that you’d fold a vertical greeting card. Take another moment to check for wrinkles, and make sure that both sides of the shirt are even. If you’re folding a tank top or long sleeve shirt, try to match up the sleeves as best you can. 5. **Sketch a half-heart in the center of the shirt with a washable marker.** Take a magic marker and draw half of a heart along the folded seam of the shirt. Try to make the outline as curved and defined as possible, so the shape can't be mistaken for something else later on. If you aren’t comfortable with your drawing skills, sketch the heart a slower pace. As the name suggests, the washable marker will come off once you put the shirt in the washing machine. 6. **Scrunch the fabric around the outline to separate the heart from the rest of the shirt.** Use both hands to fold the damp fabric accordion-style, condensing the shirt around the half-heart outline. Continue scrunching the fabric, moving slowly and carefully to keep the shape intact. Check that the marker line is straight after scrunching the shirt. If the line is squiggly, there’s a good chance that your heart outline won’t come out very clearly. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t fold the fabric correctly on your first try. Feel free to start the folding and scrunching process over at any time. 7. **Pull a rubber band over the line of marker to separate the heart.** Find the magic marker line, which now resembles a straight line after the scrunching and folding process. Stretch a rubber band and pull it over the shirt, then secure the band over this visible line of washable marker. Stretch out a rubber band and pull it over the rounded and condensed ball at the end of the T-shirt. Pull the rubber band lower, pausing over the magic marker line. If your rubber band is especially big, feel free to wrap it around the shirt twice. You can also use string to tie off the heart section. 8. **Section off other portions of the shirt using rubber bands.** Take additional rubber bands and stretch them around the fabric, bunching them around the lower sections of the shirt. Arrange the rubber bands in vertical, diagonal, and horizontal lines to create a fun series of patterns around your dyed heart! Create a stripe effect by tying the rubber bands horizontally along the length of the shirt. 9. **Prepare dye** Put on plastic or rubber gloves to protect your skin from the dye. Check the instructions on your fabric dye container to see how much product needs to be mixed with water for different size bottles. Keep in mind that the ratio is about 2 - 4 tsp (10-20 g) to 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Be sure that you have all the dye colors that you need for your heart design. Use a craft store tie-dye kit if you’d prefer not to mix the dyes yourself. Use a plastic container or bucket to prepare the dye if you’re planning on making a large amount. 10. **Put the dye into plastic bottles with thin spouts.** Pour the dye into a variety of plastic bottles. Those used for ketchup and other condiments work well for this. Make sure to keep the colors separated as you pour them into individual bottles. Once all of the bottles are filled, label them with masking tape—sometimes, the actual color is different than the dye’s apparent color in the bottle. For instance, hot pink dye is a lot darker in the bottle than it is on the fabric. Feel to use both large and small bottles for the dye. 11. **Go over the marker line with a squirt of dye on both sides of the shirt.** Take a bottle of dye in your desired color and squeeze it along the rubber band. Flip over the shirt to dye the marker line on the other side of the garment. Be sure to cover the sides of the rubber band with dye as well. You can purchase dye and other tie-dye supplies at your local craft store. Adding this line of dye helps to separate the color of the heart from the color you’re using for the rest of the shirt. 12. **Squeeze dye all over the tied-off heart section.** Take the same dye bottle and saturate the tied-off section of shirt with product. Continue soaking all of the fabric bunches and wrinkles before turning the shirt over. Pour the same amount of dye over the back and sides of the shirt until the banded section is completely drenched in dye. The more dye you apply, the stronger and less spotted your design will be. If you’d prefer to have a speckled shirt with more white in the background, use less dye during this part of the process. Ideally, aim for the fabric to be almost dripping wet with dye. 13. **Add different dye colors to the other tied-off shirt sections.** Take a new color of dye and squirt it over an additional section of the shirt. Continue saturating the fabric, flipping the shirt over as needed to soak the other side. If you’re only using 1 additional color, soak the rest of your shirt with this color of dye. If you’re adding multiple colors to your shirt, continue soaking both sides of the shirt with dye until you’ve created your design of choice. 14. **Wrap the dyed shirt in a plastic bag.** Take a disposable plastic grocery bag and place your drenched T-shirt inside. Roll the bag up tightly to seal it, setting it to the side for the time being. The bag prevents excess dye from splattering around the rest of your home. The plastic in the bag won’t absorb the dye, which makes it a great vessel for your dyed shirt. 15. **Wait at least 8 hours for the dye to soak into the fabric.** Leave the bag in a cool, dry spot so the dye can fully absorb without evaporating. Keep track of when and where you stored your shirt, so you can know when to remove it and rinse it out later on. 16. **Rinse the still-tied shirt under cool running water.** After at least 8 hours, remove the dyed shirt from the bag and place it under a stream of running water. Let the majority of the excess dye flow out, so it doesn’t end up dripping all over your floor. Keep the rubber bands around the shirt while you do this. Make sure the water is cool, as extremely hot water can cause dyes to set in fabric. 17. **Take off the rubber bands tied around your shirt.** While the shirt is still under running water, pry away the rubber bands from the shirt. Take a moment to unroll your shirt and see how the heart design turned out. Don’t be discouraged if the shape doesn’t look quite like a heart. Tie-dyeing a heart can be a difficult skill to master. You can turn the running water off while you’re examining the shirt. 18. **Wring out your shirt under running water until the dripping water is clear.** Turn the water back on to a cool setting and hold the shirt in both hands. Use a twisting motion to wring out the fabric beneath the faucet. Keep an eye on the water that drips out from beneath shirt—once it’s clear and no longer showing any signs of dye, you can turn the water off. Make sure that all excess water is squeezed out of the shirt. You only want the fabric to be damp to the touch. 19. **Wash the shirt alone in cold water with a small amount of detergent.** Set the T-shirt alone in your washing machine so the dye doesn’t stain any of your other clothing. Pour a 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) or so of detergent into the machine, then start a normal cycle. Be sure to use cold water, so the rest of the dye can rinse out. The washer will also remove any residual magic marker sketches on the fabric. 20. **Hang your shirt up and let it air-dry for 1 day.** Remove your damp shirt from the washer and hang it up in an open area. Check that the place is well-ventilated and that all of the fabric is able to dry evenly. Wait 1 day or so for the shirt to dry completely, touching the fabric periodically to check.

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How to Decorate in a Japandi Style

If you want a comfy, relaxing space, Japandi style is the way to go. Japandi style marries rustic, “hygge”—which means cozy—Scandinavian decor with minimalist, “wabi-sabi”—which means imperfect—Japanese design. This style combines muted colors and natural items for a warm, curated look. Your goal is to create a space that’s eco-friendly, comfortable, and functional, without a lot of clutter. Fortunately, it’s a fairly easy look to create, and we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you design your perfect room. 1. **Go with shades of white, beige, grey, brown, or pale green.** Select a few shades that work together to use for your entire room. If you’re leaning more minimalist, stick to a monochromatic look by selecting shades of just one color. Here are some color combos you might try: White, pale grey, and tan. Beige, tan, and a rusty reddish brown. White, pale grey, and pale green. Beige, tan, and light brown. 2. **Both Scandinavian and Japanese design accent with contrasting colors.** To find your contrasting color, choose a dark shade that balances your color palette. In general, stick to neutrals like black, charcoal grey, and rich browns. Then, paint an accent wall in your room the contrasting color or pick a large piece of furniture that's the color you want. Alternatively, hang wall art in your contrasting color. Black is the most common contrasting color, but you can also use charcoal or slate grey or a rich, chocolate brown. For example, you might paint three walls of your room white and the fourth wall black. On the other hand, you could paint your entire room white and then hang a large charcoal grey painting on one wall. 3. **Texture adds visual interest and coziness without creating clutter.** Since Japandi style leans minimalist, texture is your bestie! Look for textured rugs, wall hangings, and decorative items. Incorporate a few pieces to elevate the style in your room. Here are some ideas: Create an accent wall with bamboo rods, grey tiles, or shellac. To warm up a bare wall, hang macrame, a tapestry, or a textured painting. When it comes to rugs, look for a rattan, faux fur, or bamboo rug. For decorative items, you could choose a textured clay vase, a burlap pillow, a woven tray, or a wicker basket. 4. **Japandi style has a modern, minimalist feel.** Pick furniture that has straight lines and sharp angles, like Mid Century modern or minimalist Japanese designs. Additionally, look for pieces that have a wooden base to capture the natural aesthetic of Japandi style. Here are some ideas for each room: In a bedroom, you might pick a platform bed, low night stands, and a short, plain dresser. For your living room, short, rectangular seating is a sure-fire winner. Mid Century modern designs are an easy way to create a Japandi look. For your coffee table, go with a round design if you want a cozier feel or a rectangular style if you lean more minimalist. In your kitchen, try a rustic dinner table, like reclaimed wood. You could also go with something modern and sleek. Try pairing a wooden table with upholstered chairs to really get that cozy-meets-minimal feel. In your bathroom, pick a bamboo or wicker storage cabinet. 5. **Japandi style is all about functionality, so your pieces need purpose.** While most of your things will have one use, choosing some multi-purpose items helps keep your minimalist vibe. Here are some ways you can incorporate more functionality: Pick a coffee or end table that offers storage or that turns into a desk. Get a bed with drawers built into it for storage. Choose a couch that folds out into a bed. Get a desk with a built-in bookshelf. Use your dishes as decorations. 6. **Blankets and pillows capture the Scandinavian side of Japandi style.** Pick soft, thick blankets that feel cozy and warm. When it comes to pillows, layer different sizes, colors and styles. Just make sure you stick to your muted color palette. You might try these arrangements: Drape a white faux fur blanket over your sofa. Then, arrange a few pale grey square pillows and a round dark grey pillow across the seat. Fold a chunky grey blanket and place it along the back of your sofa. Next, place a few white throw pillows along the back of the seat. Finally, incorporate an accent color, like rust or mustard yellow, in another accent pillow. 7. **A cozy rug leans more Scandinavian, while a textured rug is more Japanese.** Choose a faux fur, plush, or a chunky knit rug for a warm, comfy feel. Alternatively, go with a bamboo, woven, or jute rug for a natural vibe. You could even layer your rugs to create more texture in your room. If you want a more minimalist look, you might put down a sleek bamboo rug or a woven rug made from natural fibers. For a cozier look, go with a lush rug, like faux fur or wool rug. If you want to layer your rugs, you might put down a basic bamboo rug first. Then lay one or two cozier rugs over it. 8. **Use lamps to balance out the light in your room.** Mid Century modern styles are sleek and minimalist, so they fit right into Japandi style. On the other hand, triangular or round Japanese lampshades are perfect for creating a cozy-yet-minimalist vibe. Large Japanese lamp shades work well for floor lamps or overhead lighting. However, a large mid-mod lamp can add more light without taking up as much space. For table lamps, go with a sleek mid-mod metal lamp. 9. **Japandi style is all about natural elements, so you need some plants.** Any size plant will look great in your space. Go with a floor plant if you want it to be a focal point in your home, or add smaller plants on tables or shelving to add a touch of nature. Remember to check the care instructions for your plants so they stay alive. Great options include bamboo, bonsai, air plants, palms, ivy, snake plants, succulents, aloe, and potted trees. However, any plant will look great! Caring for plants not your thing? Try dried branches or flowers instead. 10. **Less is more when it comes to Japandi style.** While it’s not totally minimalistic, you don’t want a lot of clutter out. Pick out your favorite items to have on display. These can be items you’re using or things you just find beautiful. On your coffee table, you could arrange a vase of dried flowers, a small serving tray, and a few books. On an end table or storage cabinet, you might put a potted plant, a small bust, and a clay bowl to hold small items, like your keys. In your bedroom, you could place a potted plant, a jewelry box or dish, and a small photograph on your dresser. In the kitchen, you might display your dishes as decor or a large vase of dried stems or flowers. 11. **Natural elements tie Japanese and Scandinavian style together.** Fortunately, it’s easy to bring nature into your home. In addition to plants, materials like wood, fibers, grass, shells, antlers, and rocks all add to your Japandi vibe. Here are some style choices you might try: Use natural wood bowls in your kitchen, which can double as decorations. Get a carved wooden vase. Protect your tables with coasters made from sliced wood. Hang a set of reclaimed antlers on your wall. Get a reclaimed wood table. Decorate with shells or stones. Use woven storage bins to hold items like extra blankets or books. 12. **A little bit of pattern makes your room feel cozier.** Pick a geometric pattern for a more traditional look. Alternatively, look for a quirky pattern if you want a unique vibe. Feature the pattern on a piece of art, a pillow, a blanket, or an item on display. You could try the following: Get a painting or throw pillow that has a white background with a pattern of black dashes or black triangles. Display a vase or teapot that has a yellow zigzag pattern. Incorporate a throw pillow that has a ditsy flower print. 13. **Japandi style is quite minimalist, so you don’t want clutter.** Instead, hide away items you aren’t using. Arrange a few baskets around your home to hold items you use often. If you have a lot of stuff to store, get a storage cube and baskets to hide away your items. These can include wicker baskets or baskets that match your color scheme. In your living room, use wicker baskets for things like throw blankets, magazines, or children’s toys. In your bedroom, use wicker baskets for an extra blanket, dirty clothes, or accessories. In your bathroom, wicker baskets might hold extra toilet paper, towels, or dirty clothes. 14. **Scandinavian and Japanese styles are both environmentally-friendly.** Similarly, seek out eco-friendly brands for your decor. You might even thrift or recycle pieces to reduce your footprint. Additionally, you can use found natural items, as well. Look for items at second-hand shops or online. Bring natural items indoors. If you go hiking, look for antlers shed by deer, or feathers you could display in a vase. On the beach, collect shells to keep in a bowl or on a shelf. Research a company before ordering from them to make sure they’re eco-friendly. 15. **Live out your most “hygge” life by keeping cozy.** Make your self-care routine a part of your decor. Keep the items you use to feel good within easy reach. Here are some ideas you could try: Keep your fuzzy slippers at the end of your bed so you can easily slip into them. Put an aromatherapy roller on your nightstand. Keep your lotion in a decorative bottle on the sink. Leave the book you’re reading out on the coffee table.

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How to Start a Goat Farm

Raising goats can be a lucrative and enjoyable farming experience, as long as you are well prepared. Discover reasons to farm goats and what you need to consider to start a goat farm. 1. **Check local zoning regulations.** Your local government may not allow goats, especially if you live in an urban area. Contact the nearest zoning board, building inspector, or other regional government office to see whether it limits farmers to certain breeds, ban only uncastrated male goats (bucks), or imposes some other limitation. Check with your landlord or homeowner association as well. Make it clear whether you are raising goats for commercial or personal use, as different regulations may apply. 2. **Plan on getting at least two goats.** Goats are social animals and are more likely to be uncooperative or try to escape if kept alone. Always keep at least two goats in each enclosure. Because uncastrated males (bucks) cannot be kept with females (does), this may require purchasing more than two goats. Keep reading for tips on deciding which sex of goats to purchase. 3. **Decide how many male and female goats to purchase.** There are three main types of goats divided by sex: females, called does; uncastrated males, called bucks; and castrated males, called wethers. Does need to be impregnated by a buck before they produce milk, but raising a buck can require a lot of extra work. Bucks require a separate enclosure, may develop a strong odor, and are often aggressive. For the easiest start to your goat farm, buy two does, and pay another goat farm for the opportunity to breed your does with its buck. Neutered males, or wethers, are not able to breed or produce milk. They are usually purchased as barnyard pets. Many goat farms end up with wethers when their goats give birth to extra males. If you do purchase a buck, consider spending extra for one with breeding papers. You'll have a better idea of its traits and are less likely to breed defects into your herd. 4. **Select the age of the goats.** Young goats are called kids, or bucklings or doelings depending on sex. When around 8 weeks old, they are typically cheaper than older goats and may be friendlier if raised around humans, but they require one to two years of care before they can be bred, produce milk, or be sold as meat. A junior kid between 6 months and 1 year old will take less time to mature, and may even come with the option to have it bred before purchase (so it produces milk sooner). Finally, an adult or senior goat may be the cheapest option of all, but be wary of goat farmers selling useful milk producers. They may be trying to sell the lowest-quality goats in their herd. 5. **Choose a goat breed.** Some breeds are suited for milk production, such as Nigerian Dwarf, La Mancha, and Alpine goats. Others are usually raised for meat, such as the Spanish or Tennessee breeds. Finally, some farms raise Angora or Cashmere goats to sell their hair for fabric. Find out which breeds are raised in your area, how large each breed grows to, and the physical and personality traits of each breed. Some breeds tend to be more docile, produce bucks with a stronger smell, or be prone to certain health problems. Before deciding, you may want to read up on how to milk goats, slaughter goats, or shear goats. If you are not up to slaughtering a goat yourself, find commercial slaughtering operations nearby that will purchase your goats before raising goats for meat. 6. **Plan out costs.** The costs of raising a goat varies over time and from region to region, as does the profit you can earn from selling goat products. If you are planning to raise goats for commercial purposes, it pays to get a good idea of costs and expected profit. Try to talk to several goat farmers or read recently published goat farming guides in your area to get a good estimate of the following costs. If the resulting estimate is above your budget, you might decide to purchase fewer goats, or a different breed. Keep in mind that a goat farm may not be profitable for two years or more, especially if you are raising young goats or need to pay for initial setup such as fencing. How much does it cost to raise a doe, a buck, or a kid for one year? Try to find numbers for your specific goat breed if possible. If you are raising goats for milk, how much milk does one doe produce? How much can you sell this milk for? If you are raising goats for meat, how much does a slaughtered goat sell for? Do they sell for more during a specific time of year, such as Muslim holidays, Christmas, or Easter? How much on-hand money do you have available for unexpected costs, such as fencing repair or veterinary procedures? If one of your goats dies, will that cause you financial hardship? 7. **Build excellent fencing.** Goats are excellent at crawling through small gaps or climbing over fencing. Five feet fences or higher of sturdy, "no-climb" wire fencing strung between posts is harder to climb or slip through than fences constructed with horizontal beams. If you have both bucks and does, make sure to build a separate, strong buck pen with especially sturdy and tall fencing. This fence will keep your bucks in rut from accessing your does in estrus (heat); in other words, this will prevent your goats from unplanned breeding. Goats of significantly different sizes should not be kept with each other, unless they are kids kept with their mother. Bucks can become aggressive when in rut and near females, so the separate enclosure is highly recommended even if you don't care about unplanned breeding. 8. **Build a goat shelter.** Your goats will need a place to go in the winter and when it's raining. A small pole barn will work just fine. Goat breeds with thick coats may be able to withstand colder temperatures, but check with an experienced goat farmer first. If you live in a mild climate a three-sided enclosure will provide fresh air; if your area experienced cold winters, create a fully enclosed, draft-free environment, but let the goats out during the day. Goats hate puddles and wet weather. If you live in a rainy area, you may wish to provide a larger indoor enclosure. 9. **Remove poisonous or strong-smelling plants.** Goats will graze or chew on almost anything, although stories of them eating cars and tin cans tend to be exaggerated. Milkweed, bracken fern, or wild cherry leaves are examples of plants that can be poisonous to goats, although some goats may not eat these if provided with a sufficient variety and quantity of other foods. Strong-smelling plants may add an unpleasant taste to the goat's milk, including onion, cabbage, buttercup, and parsley. 10. **Acquire supplies.** Shop around for food and water buckets. Compare various grains to determine which will be nutritious and cost-effective for feeding your goats. The feed should provide significant amounts of calcium and phosphorus in a 1.2:1 ratio to prevent health problems, and certain feeds may require additional mineral supplements. An experienced goat farmer or a veterinarian may be able to advise you on locally available options. 11. **Remove the horn stubs of young goats** Most goat species grow horns, and if allowed to grow, these horns have the potential to seriously injure other animals or humans. Anytime after the young goat is two weeks old, have the horn stubs removed, or "disbudded." This can be painful for the goat, and difficult without proper assistance. The assistance of an experienced goat farmer or veterinarian is recommended, especially one who knows how to administer anesthetization before starting the procedure. If the skin on their forehead is easily moved around by rubbing, the goats are probably naturally hornless and do not require disbudding. 12. **Castrate most young males.** Even if you are breeding goats, you typically only need one buck per 25–50 does. Young, male goats that you do not intend to breed should be castrated at two weeks old or later, but only if they are healthy. Have a veterinarian administer a preventative tetanus shot before you perform the castration. Male goats grow large testicles, so even a castrated goat (wether) may not look as though it has been castrated. 13. **Breed your does.** If you wish your does to produce milk or kids, you will need to breed them with a buck once the doe has reached breeding age. When a doe goes into estrus (heat), remove it from the herd and introduce it to a buck, rather than the other way around. Two to four breedings is usually enough to ensure pregnancy. A normal gestation period is around 150 days, but this can vary by species. 14. **Milk goats daily** Does can be milked while they are pregnant, once the udder is enlarged. Milk one or two times a day until roughly two months before the due date for the birth. This pause ensures the mother has enough nutrients to feed the newborn goat. Resume milking again once the newborn kid is six weeks old. You do not need to breed the doe again until its milk production drops significantly. 15. **Find experts to consult in case of serious problems.** Know who you can consult if one of your goats develops a health problem or escapes its enclosure. If no goat farmers or livestock veterinarians live nearby, try to find a book on goat farming that covers topics such as performing a health check and identifying signs of disease. 16. **Find out where to sell your product.** Whether you are selling meat, fiber, dairy products, or goat kids, you'll need to find a market to purchase them. For a small operation, it may be easiest to sell to individuals in your community or become a vendor at a farmer's market. If you have more products than you can sell this way, you can ship products through online orders or sell them to a commercial vendor who takes care of delivery for you. Consider opening up your farm to visitors and charging people to visit. For this, you may have to train your goats to be pet-friendly.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Goat-Farm", "language": "en"}

How to Identify a Korat Cat

Korat cats were once the exclusive breed of Thai royalty. Today, however, Korat cats are somewhat more common. The easiest way to identify a Korat cat is to look for a bluish, silver-tipped coat and green, luminous eyes. You can also identify a Korat by looking for its signature behavior – bonding closely with its owner and perhaps one other individual. If you're still having a hard time identifying whether your cat is a Korat, take it to your vet for a DNA test. 1. **Look for emerald-green eyes.** Korat cats are born with blue eyes, but their eyes will turn to amber sometime in the period between their birth and the cat's fourth birthday. Then, sometime between the cat's second and fourth birthdays, its eyes will turn a bright green. If your cat has emerald-green eyes, it could be a Korat. 2. **Check for round eyes.** Some cats have slanted or angular eyes. Korats's eyes, however, are large, round, alert, and luminous. If this sounds like your cat, you may have a Korat. 3. **Look for silver-blue fur.** Korat cats have what is described as a bluish coat (in fact, it's closer to a brown or gray color). The fur is tipped with silver, giving it a kind of shiny quality, especially where the hair is at its shortest. 4. **Look for a single medium-length coat.** Korat cats only sport a single coat of medium-length fur, with no undercoat. Run your hand over the cat you're trying to identify in order to determine if it has a double coat or a single coat. 5. **Check for a heart-shaped face.** Korats have pointed chins and a brow that slopes toward the center of their foreheads. Combined with their round eyes, you should be able to notice a sort of heart shape to the cat's face. The Korat's face is characterized by smooth, curved lines. The Korat's nose will have a slight downward curve to it. Korats have strong and well-developed jaws. 6. **Look for large ears.** Korats' ears are wide at the base and flare up into a rounded top. The ears are located relatively high on the head. The outer edge of each ear aligns with the outer edge the cat's head. The ears are relatively hairless inside, and have short, close fur on the outside. 7. **Look for a medium build.** Korat cats are medium-sized cats with broad chests. They are rather short and thickset, but their bodies are free of sharp joints or hard lines. The females are generally smaller and might seem almost dainty. 8. **Look for front legs that are slightly shorter than rear legs.** Korat cats' legs are proportional to their bodies and end in feet that are oval-shaped. Each front foot has five toes, while each rear foot has four toes. Korat cats' paw pads are covered in dark blue or lavender fur. 9. **Determine if the cat forms close bonds with a limited number of people.** Korat cats tend to form very close bonds with their owners, but do not have much interest in the attention or affections of many other people. If the cat you are attempting to identify follows just one or two people about and has little interest in anyone else, you might have a Korat cat. 10. **Look for an energetic cat.** Korat cats love to play. Wave a string toy or flash a laser pointer around the cat you're trying to identify. If the cat shows great interest and seems to enjoy participating in this playful exercise, you might have a Korat. 11. **Test the cat's intelligence.** Korat cats are very smart. Try teaching your cat tricks like sit, stay, and shake. If your cat easily learns these commands, it might be a Korat. Alternately, you could give the cat puzzle toys – small toys filled with treats that are only dispensed when the cat move the toy in the correct position. Your cat might be a Korat cat if it seems to have no trouble getting the treats out of its puzzle toys. 12. **Weigh the cat.** Korats tend to weigh six to 10 pounds (2.7 to 4.5 kilograms). To weigh the cat you are trying to identify, place it on a scale, then check the readout. 13. **Monitor the cat's growth rate.** Korat cats grow slowly. Some don't reach their full size until they are five years old. If the cat you wish to identify is taking a long time to grow, it might be a Korat. 14. **Get a DNA test.** Your veterinarian can help you determine whether you've got a Korat by taking a DNA sample. Generally, this is as easy as swabbing the inside of your cat's cheek or, in some cases, drawing its blood. Your vet will inform you of the exact process and any preparations you need to make before bringing your cat for its DNA test. 15. **Ask for pedigree papers.** If you purchase your Korat from a breeder, then they should be able to provide you with pedigree papers that detail the lineage of the parent cats, showing that it is a Korat. Before purchasing your new kitten, make sure that these papers are in order.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-a-Korat-Cat", "language": "en"}

How to Tell a Girl That You Love Her

You're in love with her. You want her to know that you love her, but you aren't sure how to tell her. "I love you," is a wonderful thing to say to someone – but these are also three very powerful words. Take a moment to step back from the situation and make sure that you do it right. Read on to learn how to say "I love you" to a girl. 1. **Wait** "I love you," is a serious thing to say, and it can completely change the dynamic of a relationship. Once you've decided to tell her that you love her, be on the lookout for intimate, meaningful moments. This might happen during a beautiful sunset after a perfect day together, or when "your song" comes on during a big school dance, or when you're both laughing together, wildly happy simply to be with one another. The moment might be sweepingly dramatic, or it might be wonderfully simple. Say it when you feel truly inspired. Watch romantic scenes in movies and shows for inspiration. The "right moment" might feel powerful and almost cinematic – like the scene when the guy gets the girl, and they tell each other how they feel. 2. **Be patient** Don't just blurt it out the next time that you see her. If you love her, and she loves you, then you will have plenty of time to say it – and to say it again, and again! It's normal to feel a sense of urgency to confess your love. However, it's good to be tactful, and the moment may make for a better memory if you wait for something special. 3. **Do it when you're both clearheaded.** Don't say "I love you" for the first time while either of you is tipsy or otherwise intoxicated. Avoid saying it directly after sex – in the midst of the post-coital endorphin rush, it is easy to say or agree to things that you don't mean. Let the moment be simple, pure, and real. 4. **Have her full attention.** Don't throw out your first "I love you," when she is distracted with something else, or when she is worried about something, or when she is preparing to leave. The words will be more powerful if you're gazing into each other's eyes. If you're having a special moment together, it shouldn't be hard to bring her in close. Consider saying "I love you" after a hug or a kiss, in a simple moment. Sometimes, admittedly, there will be no "right time." You can get her attention by saying, "I need to tell you something important." Not all attention is good attention. Do not say "I love you" to placate her when she's angry, or when she's trying to tell you something else that's important. 5. **Choose a happy time rather than a sad time.** If you're really trying to say, "I love you," it may come out when it comes out, regardless of your planning. It may be best, however, to say the words when you're both in a great mood. A sincere "I love you" can certainly cheer a girl up when she's sad or feeling inadequate – but a first admission of love might be a bit much in one of these moments. 6. **Don't stress too much.** If she loves you back, it won't really matter how you say it. If she doesn't love you back, then you've learned a valuable lesson about love. Either way: life is too short to bottle up these feelings, to let love lay in hiding when it could soar. Be brave, and be true, and follow your heart. It will be okay. If you need to calm your nerves, try taking deep breaths. Inhale, slowly, for as long as possible, and then gradually exhale in a measured flow. Focus only on the act of breathing: on the in-and-out of your breath. 7. **Look into her eyes when you say it.** When the time feels right, lock eyes with her. You may experience a moment of absolute stillness – as though time has stopped, temporarily, and there is nothing that exists beyond you and her. Eye contact signals that you are sincere. It also gives you an immediate indication of how she feels about what you're saying, and it should make the two of you feel more connected. 8. **Say, "I love you."** It's as simple as that. If you truly love her, then you don't need to explain yourself or add any frills. If you feel so inclined, however, it never hurts to wax poetic and qualify your love a bit. Above all, be honest and authentic. Only say as much as you feel impelled to say. Consider explaining the story of how you came to love her. Say something true, and honest, and sweet. Make it unique, and make her feel special. The way you say the words is up to you. You can say it casually or earnestly, depending on your comfort level. Make sure that she knows you're serious – unless you want to give yourself an out. 9. **Listen** Give her time. You have told her that you love her, but that doesn't necessarily mean that she's ready to say it back. Be patient and kind. Hope, but do not presume. Let her process your words and respond in her own time. If she doesn't say it back right away, that's okay. She feels how she feels, and you feel how you feel. You may be hurt, but do not be angry. Respect her right to keep her own counsel. No matter her response, be proud of yourself for telling her how you feel. It takes a lot of courage to tell someone that you love them, and mean it. Whatever happens: now she knows. 10. **Kiss her** If she says "I love you" back: smile, hug her, kiss her, bed her. This is a special time. Ride the wave of loving emotion and take the experience to an even more magical level. No matter what happens, this is a moment in your life that you will remember for years to come. 11. **Make sure that you mean it.** If you have never been in love before, it may be hard to understand the implications of this phrase. There are many types of love: friendly love, familial love, romantic love. If you truly feel that you are romantically in love with this girl, then go ahead and say it – but understand the gravity of your words. Love is notoriously hard to define. Some say that young people tend to confuse "true love" with a shallower level of infatuation or "puppy love." Others believe that you can feel deep, meaningful love at any age. The point being: love means something different to everybody. If this is your first meaningful relationship with a girl, think before you say, "I love you." Sometimes, you "just know" when you love someone. However, if you've only been together for a few weeks—or even a few months—it might be wise to wait a while before you drop the "L-word." 12. **Consider your intentions.** Do not tell a girl "I love you" just to get into her pants, or to get her to pay more attention to you. Only say this if you plan to follow up on your words. Romantic love typically implies a level of care and commitment to a person, and you don't want to make this promise if you are going to be "in love" with someone else in a week. 13. **Put yourself in her shoes.** Do you think that this girl loves you back? Has she been in love before, or is this her first emotionally-serious relationship? Be aware that "I love you" can be a heavy phrase to drop onto a budding relationship. If she isn't ready to say the words back, then you might actually make things more complicated with your admission. Think about the way that she acts around you. You should be able to tell if she likes you by the way she looks at you and the amount of attention that she gives you. If you're going to tell her that you love her, she should at least have said that she likes you a lot. 14. **Try starting with less serious words.** Feelings are feelings, but you don't have to jump right into an "I love you." Tell her how much you like her, and use your words and actions to show her that she means a lot to you. Give her thoughtful compliments; buy or make her a personal gift; and show your passion through physical interactions. Say, "I want you to know that I care really deeply for you. You've brought so much happiness into my life, and I truly value that." Say, "I like you a lot. You make me really happy." She'll know how you feel, but she won't have to worry about the serious implications of "love." Say that you love something about her, not that you love her. This can be a solid way to ease into the conversation. For instance, say, "I love the way you smile when you hear your favorite song," or "I love your eyes. They're absolutely captivating."

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-a-Girl-That-You-Love-Her", "language": "en"}

How to Be Less Self Absorbed

Modern society often encourages self-centered thinking: it says you should be focused on getting yourself where you want to be, sometimes at the expense of others. But focusing on yourself too much can cause problems, like distancing you from others or even causing you to miss out on opportunities. If you want to stop being so individualistic, turning some of that inward attention onto others will significantly improve your relationships and help you become a happier, more fulfilled person. 1. **Hear people out when they're talking.** When others speak to you, really listen. That is, listen to understand their message, not to to prepare your response. Turn to face them, make occasional eye contact, and avoid interrupting. Try to plan your conversations in distraction-free environments where both speakers can communicate and listen attentively. 2. **Notice their verbal and nonverbal cues.** Words tell a lot about what a person is saying, but they don't give the full picture. Tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language all give insight into what the person is trying to communicate. Pay attention to these cues when communicating. They often support the message, but they sometimes contradict the message. For example, you ask a favor from someone and they say, “Okay, I'll do it.” Yet their voice sounds exasperated, their facial expression looks worried, and their body language is closed, they may not actually want to do the favor. 3. **Restate what was said to be sure you got the right message.** Paraphrasing what the other person said before you respond with your own ideas can help you avoid misunderstandings. Plus, restating is a way to show the person you were actually listening, and not otherwise distracted by your own thoughts. This might sound like, “From what I'm hearing, you seem to be really overwhelmed about the responsibilities of the coming week. Am I right?” If the person confirms that you heard right, then you can share your own response. 4. **Ask clarifying questions if you don't understand.** Is something unclear about the person's message? If so, pose a question to get clarification. An example of a clarifying question might be, “I'm not sure if I get what you're trying to say. Are you saying you lost the information?” You could also say something like "Did I hear you correctly?" 5. **Do favors without considering what's in it for you.** Instead of weighing the possible benefits of helping others, simply say “yes." If the request is within your means, agree to it. Don't spend time figuring out what you’ll get out of the deal. Over time, you'll likely notice that you don't even care what you get out of it anymore— it will feel good just because you're being selfless. 6. **Volunteer in your local community.** Volunteerism is an excellent way to direct your attention outwards, to others. Find a place of need in your city or town and fill it. Volunteer opportunities are endless, such as reading to children at the library, caring for pets at an animal shelter, or looking after preschoolers so their parents can attend church. 7. **Advocate for a cause you believe in.** Expand your volunteer efforts to include organizations in your region or country that represent issues you care about. Sign up as an advocate and find ways you can spread the organization’s message to others. For example, if you have a relative with mental health issues, you might participate in a regional NAMI chapter or help organize a mental health awareness campaign. If you're concerned about political decisions, speak at your local library, write a letter to a congressperson, or start an online petition. Being an advocate may involve community service just like hands-on volunteering, but the main point is to spread awareness about a particular cause. 8. **Get up to speed on current events.** If you're self-absorbed, you may show little interest in circumstances that don't directly affect you. However, certain events happening in your region, nation, or the world may actually affect your family, friends, or neighbors. Start watching the news—both locally and nationally—to learn more about what issues are affecting people near and far. Staying up-to-date on events can also educate you about the concerns of others, helping you to focus on yourself less. 9. **Stand in awe of something.** Being self-focused can cause you to miss out on all the amazing things the world has to offer. For the next week or so, make an effort to notice the wonder around you. When you listen to music, close your eyes and lose yourself in the notes. Go outside and marvel at natural landscapes and wildlife. Visit a museum and appreciate the history and art. 10. **Imagine stepping into the shoes of others.** Being empathetic can help you tune in more to the experiences of others. It can help build bridges and increase understanding. Choose one person each day to truly notice. Perhaps you'll observe a classmate who seems to be having a hard time, or you might focus on one of your siblings or parents. Step outside of your own experience into theirs. Ask yourself what it would be like to live this person's life. Doing this will likely change the way you look at and treat this person. 11. **Practice validating others, even if you don't totally agree.** People want to feel heard and understood. If a friend or family member seems to be having a hard time with something, first actively listen and then try to validate their experience. Validation might sound like, “I can see that this is really hard for you" or “I'm sorry you're feeling this way.” The wonderful thing about validation is you don't even have to agree with what the person is saying to offer it. It's a way to acknowledge shared humanity (and pain), and that helps you get closer to others. 12. **Spend time watching strangers.** Do you ever take out the time to observe the people you encounter in daily life, or do you merely pass through on the way to your next appointment or destination? Purposely observing others helps you to stop being less self-absorbed and become more in tune with the world around you. Wile away an afternoon on a park bench, in a coffee shop, or at a corner cafe. Simply observe as people go to and fro. Imagine what the people are thinking and feeling. Make up stories about where they are headed or the conversations they are having. 13. **Perform loving-kindness meditation directed at others.** Choose about 5 to 10 minutes each day to sit in silence. Close your eyes and take deep, cleansing breaths. Bring to mind a person in your life— perhaps a close friend, a family member or an acquaintance. Use your meditation session to radiate good thoughts towards the person, almost as if you were giving them a virtual hug. Choose a new person to focus on each day. 14. **Read more fiction.** Fiction books allow you to experience the world from someone else's perspective. As a result of being in different character's heads, you come to feel greater empathy for the unique experiences of others. Check out a fiction book from your local library. As you read, try to notice text that tells you what each character is thinking or feeling. Then, draw context clues from the surrounding text to determine why they might think or feel that way.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Be-Less-Self-Absorbed", "language": "en"}

How to Get on Shark Tank

Shark Tank is a wildly popular reality TV show on ABC. If you have a great product or business and can envision yourself among the other entrepreneurs on the show, consider auditioning. Apply by visiting the show’s website or by attending an open casting call. You will need a good pitch and a bold personality to get in. If you hear back after your audition, you may get an opportunity to strike a deal with the “sharks,” or the investors, on national TV. 1. **Protect your invention by registering for a patent.** Even if your business has yet to take off, look into applying for a patent. Submitting a patent application requires a fee ranging from $200 to $500 USD on average. To complete the patent, you need to describe your invention’s purpose and function in clear, definite terms. Access the U.S. Patent Office's application at https://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/file-online. Patenting your idea prevents other people from stealing it. You can patent any new, useful idea, process, or product. Your claim is protected even while the patent is pending. Consider contacting a patent attorney to help you complete the application. Hiring an attorney costs about $5,000 to $10,000 on average. 2. **Become a legal resident or citizen of the U.S.** As with any reality show, Shark Tank has certain eligibility requirements you must meet before you apply. You do not have to live in the U.S. to be eligible for the show, but you do need to be a citizen or granted permanent residency. That means being born in the U.S., being born to American citizens in other countries, or applying for permanent residency. If you live in another country, you will need to travel in order to attend casting calls or the show. Keep this in mind when deciding if you’re ready to apply. 3. **Have a parent or guardian fill out the application if you’re under 18.** The standard age of consent in the U.S. is 18. That is the rule limiting who the producers can legally allow on Shark Tank. Children can appear on the show, however. If you’re not of age yet, you will need an adult to sign all of the participation documents the show producers give you. The average age of consent is 18, but this varies slightly from state to state. The age of majority may be a little different where you live. 4. **Meet criminal record and other legal requirements for the show.** The show has a few extra requirements that may affect your eligibility in some cases. For a full list of requirements, visit the show’s website when you download or submit your application. Convicted felons are barred from the show. If you have felony or misdemeanor charges pending, you can’t apply. You and your immediate family members cannot be employed by Finmax LLC, Sony Pictures Television Inc, or other companies involved in the show’s production. You can’t be employed by these companies 1 year before you apply. You are ineligible if you are a candidate for public office. You must also agree not to run for public office until 1 year after the initial broadcast of the last episode of the season you appear in. 5. **Wait for auditions to open to increase your chances of success.** Technically, the show accepts applications any time of the year. If the show’s producers aren’t holding open casting calls, your application may get buried during the filming process, though. Casting calls happen throughout the year, so keep a close eye on the Shark Tank website. Look for casting call dates at https://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/open-call. Waiting to apply is no guarantee you will get an audition. Your application may get lost in the shuffle. Lots of people want to get on the show! 6. **Access the electronic application form on the casting website.** The application is separate from the television network’s website, although you can access it through there. The application consists of a series of questions on a single page, so it doesn’t take too long to complete. Make sure you have plenty of time to think through your responses. 7. **Provide information about yourself and your collaborators.** The top part of the application is about your biographical information. Questions ask for your name, age, contact information, and occupation. The producers use this information to get an idea of who you are and how to keep in touch with you. Double-check the information to ensure it is all correct, particularly your contact information. Some examples of occupations to list include nurse or firefighter. Like other demographic information, your occupation may be a part of your pitch to the show. The producers often take advantage of these details to pick applicants with compelling stories. You do not need to provide biographical information about your business partners. All you have to do is list their names where the application instructs you to. 8. **Include information about your business, idea, or product.** The second half of the application is about your reason for applying. List the name of your product or business and include a link to your website if you have one. Then, click on the categories that best describe your business or product. Finish by typing in a basic, non-confidential description of what you’re pitching. Examples of the categories describing your business or product include technology, sports, entertainment, and pets. The form will ask what phase your business or product is in. Phases include the idea stage, research and development, beta testing, and operating and shipping. Focus on pitching your dream rather than the figures. Facts and figures are important, but drive, determination, and passion really sell ideas to casting directors. 9. **Upload a picture of your business or product if possible.** Capture your work in a positive light in order to impress the producers. Put your product in a room with good lighting and take a quick photo that highlights its appearance. If you have a business, try getting a picture of your storefront with your logo and your product. When you’re done, hit the submit button to send the application on its way. Submitting a photo is optional. If your product or business is in the idea stage, you won’t have anything to submit. If you can submit an image, do it to boost your application. 10. **Watch the Shark Tank casting call schedule for open dates.** Open casting calls happen about 5 times a year at different locations throughout the U.S. Keep an eye on that schedule from the beginning of the year to find the best date and location for you. Each listing includes an address and an event schedule. The casting call schedule is posted at https://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/open-call. In 2019, for instance, casting calls happened in Washington, California, Tennessee, Nebraska, Arkansas, and New York. These locations change from year to year. 11. **Download and fill out an official application.** You need to bring a completed application with you to the open audition. The application is similar to the online application but longer. It asks various questions about you and your business or product. Hand the application to the casting team as soon as you arrive at the venue. Print out the application by visiting https://abc.go.com/shows/shark-tank/applications. Some example questions include “What are the biggest hurdles you have had to face?” and “What will you do with the investment money?” If you are applying with a team of collaborators, each person needs to fill out their own application. 12. **Arrive early on the day of the audition to get a wristband.** The casting crew hands out wristbands when the venue opens. Everyone who shows up in time gets a wristband, although this doesn’t necessarily guarantee you get an audition. The wristbands are all numbered. People with low-numbered wristbands get to audition first. The crew typically hands out wristbands from 9 to 11 AM, but check the schedule for any changes. The casting team generally attempts to get through all applicants that arrive at the venue, but keep in mind that this can change at any time. Your application only gets reviewed if you go through the audition process at the open interview unless you submit a separate application online. 13. **Carry yourself with poise and confidence when you address the judges.** Be as bold and enthusiastic as you can be. Portray yourself as someone who works hard but knows they belong on TV. Carry yourself in a positive way, such as by standing up straight, looking the judges in the eye, and practicing good conversational skills. Try to stand out, but don’t go overboard with trying to outdo the other potential contestants. Being a confident entrepreneur means showing poise and answering questions about your business or product with ease while still smiling. Speak in a firm but consistent tone. To stand out among everyone else, know your pitch idea well and show how much it means to you. Bring along a good prototype or other presentation material. You do not need to dress up or do something wild to succeed. If your business is in the idea phase, a great pitch is your best resource. Bring in props like posters showing your idea and how it will function when you finish with it. 14. **Make a short pitch to an interviewer after your number is called.** When you get called, you have about 60 seconds to pitch your idea to a member of the casting team. Focus the pitch on selling your “dream” and showcasing your motivation. Remember, this is a TV show, so the producers look for both great products and great personalities. If you have a product prototype to show off, bring it with you. You can also bring in computers, props, and other equipment. Give the crew as much of a hands-on preview of your business as possible. Facts and figures are okay to include if they are relevant. However, keep your pitch short and to the point. The boring financial stuff is better left to your paper application. 15. **Check your mail and your phone for an answer to your application.** No matter how you applied, you will end up waiting for a response from the casting crew. Expect the call within about 2 months. Usually, you get the call first and then receive confirmation through a letter in the mail. These notifications come through the phone number and address you listed on your application form. Watch your email as well. You usually won’t get a response through email, but you never know. Getting a callback is no guarantee. If you get rejected, you may receive a letter in the mail or hear nothing at all. 16. **Wait for the casting crew to call you for a phone interview.** Listen or read your confirmation notice to find out when the phone interview will be. A member of the casting team calls you using the phone number you provided. They will talk to you in greater detail about yourself and your business, product, or idea. Expect the phone call to happen several weeks or months after your confirmation letter. It depends on the casting team’s schedule. They have to get through a lot of applicants. The interview covers questions about your business background, your noteworthy experiences, and your motivation. The casting crew member will also ask you about how you developed your idea and the steps you have taken to make it a success. Treat the call like a second interview. Put your confident and vivacious personality on display to succeed. 17. **Submit additional requested forms if your application is accepted.** If you hear back from the casting team, you have a fair chance of getting on the show. Wait a few weeks or a month for the callback. The casting crew will instruct you on how to complete the next set of release and informational forms. Fill them out, then send them back in the mail or through email. Keep in mind that you’re a semifinalist at this point. It doesn’t mean you’re on the show yet, but it does mean your chances are pretty good. 18. **Complete a 5 to 10-minute video pitching your product.** Getting on the show all comes down to a final video. This video is basically your pitch to the sharks. Make a point of displaying your product’s greatness, along with your own entertaining personality. The more engaging your video is, the better your chances of getting booked for the show. Video submissions are usually done online after the second round of applications. The video producer you talk with instructs you on how to submit the video. Usually it is through email, but they may also let you submit it on a CD through the mail if needed. Film as professionally as you can. Get a good video recorder, work in a well-lit room, and dress appropriately. Set up your product or business, if you have them, in a good light. Explain why your project is worthy of funding. If you have a relevant personal story to tell, include it in the pitch. Also, cite any meaningful sales numbers indicating your project’s success. 19. **Display professionalism while applying and working with producers.** Basically, presentations that look professional are more likely to succeed. This includes filming your pitch with decent equipment, responding quickly to producer requests, and communicating appropriately with the show staff. Remember that the producers control the process, so getting on their good side is a plus. Professionalism includes any business website or pictures you take. The producers will look at these. Make sure they display your project well and show plenty of attention to detail. 20. **Show a bold, authentic personality for a better chance of success.** At the end of the day, Shark Tank is entertainment. Soft-spoken, agreeable entrepreneurs don’t often make for an interesting show. The show’s producers expect you to be outspoken, enthusiastic, and passionate. Be bold, be dramatic, but also be willing to hear what the sharks have to say. Think from a producer’s perspective. Ask yourself if you would want to cast yourself or watch yourself on TV. Producers generally like entrepreneurs that offer drama, surprises, or tension. 21. **Research past episodes to find out what good pitches are like.** Whether you’re applying or preparing for a show appearance, one of the best things you can do is watch past episodes. Take notes on some of your favorite entrepreneurs. Study how they deliver a pitch and present their projects. Then, use your notes to improve your own pitch. Also, study entrepreneurs who failed to get a deal. Try to figure out what went wrong during the pitch. Doing this is especially helpful for products that look interesting but don’t get funded. Listen to the remarks from each shark. All of the judges respond differently to ideas and approaches. Figure out how to appeal to as many of them as possible. 22. **Seek advice about the quality of your project and pitch.** When you get on the show, you get to work with one of the show’s producers. That helps, but get feedback from outside sources throughout the entire application process. Ask for honest feedback on what you have to offer. Make sure your pitch is simple, clear, and easy for any potential customer to understand. For example, start giving your pitch to family and friends. Then, work with business associates and other people within your network. If you can, test it on strangers to get honest feedback. When you get approved for the show, you get put through rehearsals. The producer will make sure you’re ready for the show and give you some practical advice to succeed. 23. **Practice your pitch as much as possible to fine-tune it.** Take into account all of your feedback to judge how good your pitch is. Consider how you feel about it and how you think the judges will respond. Edit your pitch as needed to improve it. Make sure the pitch feels exciting and energetic before you need to use it for the show. If you get accepted on the show, you will likely have a few months to practice. Give your pitch in front of the mirror as well as people you know. Practice until you get comfortable saying what you need to say. Edit your pitch selectively. If it doesn’t sound right to you, chances are you can improve it. 24. **Apply again if you don’t make it onto the show.** Some entrepreneurs don’t succeed on the first try. That is true in business as well as Shark Tank. Go through the entire application process as needed until you get a yes from the producers. You may have better luck on the second try. You can apply again as long as you haven’t filmed a show episode for your idea. If you think the producers rejected your application at any point during the casting process, consider applying again. If you were lucky enough to get to the filming stages, the producers may have chosen not to air your episode. Your best bet is to reapply with a new camera-ready idea. Remember that many people apply for the show. Even if you have a good pitch, the show’s producers may not get back to you. Your second application may end up in the hands of a different producer.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-on-Shark-Tank", "language": "en"}

How to Treat a Pulled Oblique Muscle

The oblique muscles are located on the sides of your abdomen, between your hip and your rib cage. There are two sets of oblique muscles - external and internal obliques - and together they are responsible for helping your body twist and bend while also supporting your spine. The transversus abdominis is also part of your obliques, but it is underneath the obliques and it goes across your entire abdomen. These muscles along with your back muscles make up your "core." Most injuries to the oblique muscles are caused by tension from excessive repetition of movements or forceful, strained movement. Pulled or strained oblique muscles can be both painful and disruptive to your ability to function regularly, and can take upwards of four to six weeks to fully heal. Because these muscles are so heavily used in the day-to-day functions of the body, it's important to begin treating a pulled oblique muscle as soon as possible. Learning how to treat a pulled oblique muscle can help you speed up the recovery process and get back on your feet. 1. **Take pain medicine.** A pulled muscle can take several weeks to heal, and in the meantime can cause considerable pain. One of the best ways to alleviate that pain at home is by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation. Reducing inflammation is important for core muscles like obliques, which are crucial for movement. 2. **Apply ice for the first 48 hours.** Ice is helpful for muscle pain, as the cold compress slows down blood flow and reduce swelling and inflammation. If you do not have an ice pack, you can wrap ice cubes in a clean dish towel or use a cold, flexible item like frozen vegetables from the freezer. Ice should be applied for no more than 20 minutes, then removed for at least 20 minutes before being reapplied. Remove the ice pack if the skin turns red or bright pink. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, as this may cause ice burns. Ice works best for the first 48 hours after an injury. After 48 hours, switch to heat treatment or alternate between heat and ice. 3. **Apply heat after 48 hours.** Icing an injury is best during the first 48 hours, as it reduces swelling and inflammation. After 48 hours, you can also use heat treatment, such as a heating pad. Heat will help to relax your muscles and re-stimulate blood flow, allowing the tissue to heal. Moist heat sources, such as a hot water bottle or hot water bath, may penetrate to the muscle better than dry heat sources. Do not apply heat for longer than 20 minutes at a time unless your doctor or physical therapist has instructed you to do so. If your skin becomes uncomfortable or hurts, remove the heat immediately. Never lie down on a heating pad, as you may fall asleep. Do not use a heat source if you will be sleeping, as the prolonged heat could cause severe burns. Do not apply heat sources directly to the skin, as the heat source may burn your skin. Always wrap heat sources in a clean dish towel before applying to the injury. Do not use heat sources if you have poor circulation or diabetes. 4. **Rest the injury.** The best thing for any injury is to let the muscles rest and recover. While the injury is healing, avoid any movements or activities that could further injure the oblique muscles. Skip your usual ab workouts until the muscles have healed and avoid movements that aggravate your oblique muscles. 5. **Know when to seek medical help.** The oblique muscles can be quite painful when injured, and may take several weeks to heal. However, some injuries may take longer to heal than others, and may cause greater pain. Contact a medical professional immediately if any of the following occur: home care does not bring any relief whatsoever after 24 hours you hear a "popping" sound during movement you are incapable of walking or moving the injury has significant swelling or pain, or a fever accompanies any of your symptoms 6. **Take prescription medications.** For severe injuries, your doctor may recommend a prescription-strength pain medication to help manage the pain. Always follow your doctor's instructions on taking prescription medications, and avoid driving or operating machinery while taking prescription pain medications. Common medications prescribed for injuries include prescription-strength NSAIDs, opioid analgesics, and muscle relaxers, although prescription-strength pain medication is typically reserved for severe, debilitating injuries. 7. **Consider a rehabilitation program.** In cases of severe muscle injuries, some physical therapy or rehabilitation may be necessary. The oblique muscles are crucial for many types and ranges of movement, and they are often prone to repeat injuries. For some people, especially athletes who are at risk of re-injuring the obliques, rehabilitation sessions with a physical therapist will be recommended by a physician. 8. **Talk to your doctor about surgery.** Surgery is rarely recommended for pulled/strained muscles. However, severe muscle injuries, especially injuries in which the muscle is ruptured, may require surgery to ensure the injury heals properly. 9. **Strengthen and condition your muscles.** Before you can resume your previous levels of physical activity after a lengthy injury, you'll need to regain your strength. It's important to develop a strength-training regimen, either on your own or by coordinating with a physical therapist. Always stretch before engaging in sports or any kind of physical activity. Never stretch to the point of pain, and continue rehabilitative therapy as needed. 10. **Do upward-facing dog stretches.** These stretches work the rectus abdominis, the group of muscles closest to the obliques. Strengthening the rectus abdominis should be a part of your comprehensive oblique rehab plan. While lying flat against the ground facing downward, position your hands directly beneath your shoulders. Keep your feet hip-width apart, your gluteal muscles squeezed, and your spine and neck held straight and level. While keeping your lower body flat against the ground, slowly straighten your arms to raise your upper body. Hold this pose for five seconds, then return to the floor. Complete 10 repetitions, as long as the stretch doesn't cause any pain. 11. **Practice standing stretches.** Standing stretches are another excellent routine to help strengthen the rectus abdominis. When practiced in conjunction with upward-facing dog and other rehabilitative techniques, standing stretches can help return your normal range of motion after an injury. Stand straight upright with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your back straight, and raise your hands over your head. Slowly and gently lean to one side until you begin to feel some stretch through your abdomen. Hold that position for five seconds, then switch to the other side. Complete ten repetitions on each side, as long as the stretch does not cause you any pain.

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How to Practice Volleyball Without a Court or Other People

Volleyball is a great sport that will get you into excellent shape. However, it's also a team sport, and people aren't always available to practice with you. Fortunately, practicing by yourself without a court is easy with a few drills. For practice passing and setting, you can continuously bump the ball and keep it in the air, just like if you were juggling. You can also use a flat, brick wall for practice hitting, serving, and spiking. Combine all of these techniques for a productive solo practice session. 1. **Bump** In volleyball, a bump or forearm pass is when you pass the ball to another player. In this case, pass the ball to yourself. Toss the ball up slightly. Then as it comes down, get into your passing position, and bounce the ball off your forearms so it goes back up. Then get back into position and pass it back up. Think of this activity like juggling. Keep the ball up as long as you can by passing it to yourself. This drill will improve your passing form, strength, and reaction time. 2. **Set the ball** A set, sometimes called an overhead pass, sends the ball straight up in the air for another player to spike. Rather than hitting the ball with your forearms, place both hands above your head and hit the ball straight up with your fingers. Toss the ball up lightly and set the ball when it comes down. Do the same exercise and keep the ball up for as long as you can with sets. Start by hitting the ball straight up. Then pass it more off to the side so you have to run to pass it again. This is a physical workout as well as a passing drill. 3. **Alternate between passing and setting to yourself.** Once you’ve gotten good at both types of passes, combine them for an advanced practice routine. Toss the ball up and pick a passing type to start with. Then switch between each pass type, keeping the ball up for as long as possible. Start by alternating the passing type each time the ball comes down. Then start switching at random times. For example, do 3 forearm passes, then 1 overhead pass. This keeps your body guessing and improves your reaction time. Gradually pass the ball further distances. Practice covering long distances quickly to improve your performance in the game. 4. **Pass the ball at different objects to improve your accuracy.** After you’ve gotten good at passing to yourself, work on your accuracy. Pick a specific object or point. Then toss the ball up and pass it towards that point. Get as close as possible to improve your accuracy. Use both passing types for this exercise to improve your overall accuracy. Get creative with the targets you choose. Try drawing multiple chalk spots on the ground and a brick wall. Try to hit each point one right after the other. For very precise passing, try getting the ball into a garbage can or similar container. 5. **Make a mark at least 7 feet (2.1 m) high on a brick wall with no windows.** For practice serving and spiking, find a flat wall with no windows so you won’t break anything. Regulation height for volleyball nets ranges from 7 feet (2.1 m) for youth leagues to 7 ft. 11 5/8 inches (2.43 meters) for adult men. If you know the exact height of the net you use, draw a chalk line at that height. Otherwise, make the line at least 7 feet (2.1 m) high to practice hitting over the net. The wall on a handball court works well for this exercise if you live near a park with a handball court. Stand 10–15 feet (3.0–4.6 m) away from the wall whenever you’re about to serve, pass, or spike against the wall. 6. **Serve the volleyball** Stand 10–15 feet (3.0–4.6 m) away from the wall and get into your serve position. Then toss the ball up and serve it towards the wall. Aim to get it over the line that you drew so you know that your serve would’ve gone over the net. Work on your serving aim by picking a specific spot on the wall to aim for. Draw a circle on that spot if you need help visualizing it. There are multiple serve types, like over and underhanded. Practice them all against the wall. 7. **Volley against the wall.** After you’ve gotten used to serving against the wall, start hitting the ball back. Serve and chase the ball down before it lands, just like if you were playing a game. Hit the ball back at the wall as if you were hitting it over a net. Keep this volley going as long as you can. Focus on getting the ball over the line you drew, but don’t stop if some of your hits are too low. Just try to keep the ball up as long as possible. This trains your reaction time and physical conditioning. 8. **Spike the ball** While spiking usually requires a setup from a teammate, you can still go through the motions and spike the ball towards the wall. Toss the ball up in front of you. Then go through your spiking setup. When the ball falls down to you, spike it against the wall. Try to get your spikes over the line you drew so they will clear the net in a real game. Work on your accuracy by aiming at different points along the wall. Spike the ball as close to them as you can. 9. **Do a solo pepper drill.** In volleyball, peppering is a drill where 2 players pass the ball to each other. With the wall, you can do the routine by yourself. Start by serving the ball against the wall. When it bounces back to you, bump it to another location. Then get under the ball and set it. Finally, hit the ball against the wall. After serving, repeat this drill as many times as you can without the ball hitting the ground: bump, set, hit. If you have trouble doing this all at once, start smaller. Serve the ball and then catch it when it bounces back. Then bounce it up and catch it. Work your way up to doing the whole drill. 10. **Practice blocking against the wall.** Besides hitting the ball, blocking is another fundamental volleyball skill. Stand 1 foot (0.30 m) away from the wall with your hands extended up. Then bend your knees and do a vertical jump as high as you can. When you reach your highest point, push your hands forward as if you were blocking a volleyball. Get your hands at least as high as the line you drew so you can block a ball going over a real net. Challenge yourself by trying to reach higher areas of the wall. Set a point and do a vertical leap. Reach your hands up to try and reach it.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Practice-Volleyball-Without-a-Court-or-Other-People", "language": "en"}

How to Take Care of a Wandering Jew Plant

Wandering Jews are beautiful plants known for their solid or variegated leaves. These hardy perennials thrive outdoors as groundcover or in pots which allow their tendrils to cascade. They are relatively easy to care for and incredibly simple to propagate, making them great houseplants. 1. **Determine growing conditions.** Wandering Jew plants are native to South America and prefer lots of sunlight and warm temperatures, around 55–75 °F (13–24 °C). This shouldn't be a problem if you're going to keep the plant inside; however, you'll need to make sure conditions are suitable if you plan on growing the plant outside. Refer to Part 2 about getting enough sunlight. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has made a map of the U.S. divided into zones based on average minimum temperature. Plants are assigned a zone or several zones in which they thrive. For example, the Wandering Jew plant grows best in zones 9-11. According to the U.S.D.A. map, much of the South and a narrow strip of the West Coast make up these zones. Refer to this map to see if your area's temperatures are warm enough to support a Wandering Jew plant, if you're planning on keeping it outside. If you do not live in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, keep in mind that you may not be able to keep your plant outside during the winter. You may want to grow it inside instead. 2. **Choose an adequate pot for your plant.** You can use a regular gardening pot with a saucer or a hanging basket. Regardless of what you choose, make sure there are holes for water drainage. If you use a hanging basket, remember to turn it daily so it gets equal amounts of sunlight. Be sure to choose a pot that's not too heavy, especially if you plan on hanging it. You might want to pick a plastic pot instead of a ceramic one for this reason. A lighter pot will also make it easier to move inside in case of frost. 3. **Pot your Wandering Jew plant.** Fill the pot about two-thirds full of your potting soil, then place the plant in the center of the pot. Add soil to surround and fill in the sides. Gently press down on the soil around your plant and water it till the soil is completely moistened. You can purchase a Wandering Jew plant at many gardening or home improvement centers. Cuttings are also a good way to start your own plant. You'll need to get a hold of a few cuttings from an already established Wandering Jew plant. You'll need to learn how to Grow Cuttings from Established Plants. 4. **Give your plant enough sunlight.** If you can, give them a combination of direct and filtered sunlight. An eastern facing windowsill is a good spot for Wandering Jew plants. They'll receive bright indirect light throughout the day, but watch to make sure the space doesn't become too hot in the afternoon. If so, move the pot a few feet away or use a curtain to filter the light. If the plant primarily remains outside, find a spot that receives indirect sunlight. This could be on a porch that gets morning sun for several hours. Just make sure that it's not sitting in direct sunlight without any shade for most of the day. 5. **Water your plant often.** Wandering Jews like the soil to be moist, but they don't want to drown! Every day, stick your finger inside the soil. If it feels dry, add enough water to completely moisten the soil. Excess water should run out of the bottom of your pot. If you've set your pot on a saucer, be sure to empty the saucer when it fills. Make sure not to water straight into the crown of the plant or it may rot. You can water the plant less during the winter months, when its growth slows. Simply let it remain a little dry for a bit longer before watering. Some people find it convenient to put self-watering Aqua Globes in their plant pots; however, these glass globes require cleaning and regular filling. You'll still need to monitor your plant's moisture if you choose to use them. 6. **Fertilize regularly.** Every two weeks, give your plant some liquid 10-10-10 fertilizer that has been diluted with an equal part of water. Liquid 10-10-10 fertilizer is considered to be an all-purpose fertilizer made up of ten percent nitrogen, ten percent phosphorous, and ten percent potassium. Read the container's instructions carefully, as some liquid fertilizers may actually be powders requiring you to mix in water. Fertilizing is only necessary during the heaviest growing season, from spring to early fall. 7. **Prune your plant.** To keep your plant from becoming leggy, pinch back or cut the stems above the leaf node. Don't be afraid of cutting too much! You can prune back about a quarter of the plant. This will encourage the plant to fill in rather than continue to grow out through tendrils. The best time to prune is during the spring and summer months, when the plant is putting on the most growth. After you've pruned, give the plant a chance to put on new shoots and fill in. If you find your plant is too dense and bushy, you'll need to prune around the base so that the plant can get adequate circulation and sunlight. 8. **Remove diseased, rotted, and dead leaves.** Eventually the plant will stop growing leaves at the base, but will keep growing tendrils, at which point you might want to revive and repot the plant. To do so, you can plant cuttings, root some of the shoots in water, or simply set cuttings on top of the soil. 9. **Treat aphids.** New growth on Wandering Jew plants often attracts tiny green insects called aphids. They're usually found near stems. One effective treatment is pinching off or pruning the affected stems and heavily misting the remaining plant with water. You can also use a hose or high-powered stream of water to blast them off of the leaves. 10. **Refresh brown leaves.** Mist your plant often. When the humidity is low, your plant's leaves will turn brown, but periodic water misting will help the leaves stay vibrant. Keeping the leaves wet will also help with any aphid problems your plant may develop. Fill a spray bottle with water and just mist until the leaves are lightly moistened. Brown leaves can also be a sign that your plant is getting too much sunlight. In this case, make sure your plant is not directly in the sun by moving the pot or placing a filter, such as a curtain, in between the plant and the window. Try to use distilled or bottled water when misting the leaves for the best results. 11. **Restore faded leaves.** Leaves that lack their notable vibrancy and color are probably not getting enough sunlight. Gradually increase the amount of sun your plant receives so that you don't shock the plant. This might involve moving the pot closer to a window that receives more light or finding a sunnier spot in the yard for your plant. 12. **Remove root rot.** If the plant is fading in color, but the leaves are turning a faded yellow, the plant may be getting too much water and the roots are rotting. If this is happening, the plant is probably not putting on much new growth, if any. You'll need to cut out the portion of the plant that is rotting, make a cutting from a healthy part of the plant, and replant it.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Wandering-Jew-Plant", "language": "en"}

How to Calibrate Binoculars

Seeing detail from a far distance is almost impossible without a good set of binoculars. If you’re trying to birdwatch or see something from far away, you’ll need to make sure your binoculars are correctly calibrated to your eyes. To do this, you’ll need to properly set the distance between both eyepieces. Then, you’ll adjust the focusing rings, or diopters, to make the image sharp and clear. When done correctly, amazing details will be visible from a far distance. 1. **Rotate the eyecup so it’s extended if you don’t wear eyeglasses.** Turn the eyecups counterclockwise to raise them up from the body of the binoculars. If you wear eyeglasses, you can keep the eyecups retracted, or turn them clockwise to tighten them against the body of the binoculars. Extending your eyecups will allow you to fit them around your eye, which will block out light you’d normally see in your peripheral vision. Retracted eyecups will give you a wider field of view, so you may want to turn them clockwise if you're trying to see a wider image. 2. **Attach the rubber cups to the eyepieces if you have them.** Some binoculars come with a rubber cup that you can fit around the eyepiece. If yours came with one, use it for more comfortable viewing. Fit the slightly recessed end of the cups over both of the eyepieces so that they are snug and don’t slide off. If you want to use the rubber cup but have glasses, roll the extended rubber back so that you can look through the binoculars with your glasses on. 3. **Grip both barrels and bend the center of the binoculars to fit your eyes.** The barrels are the 2 tube pieces connected to the lenses. Look through the binoculars and grip the barrels by the sides. Then, bend your binoculars up and down at the center so that both your eyes fit over the lenses. When you look through the eyepiece, you should see one circular image. If you see a double image, then you need to readjust the barrels. The distance between everyone’s eyes differ, so you’ll need to adjust the barrels to fit your eyes so that the binoculars fit your face. 4. **Hold the binoculars up to your eyes and focus on an object.** Select a stationary object 30–40 feet (9.1–12.2 m) in the distance to look at. If the image is blurry when viewing it through your binoculars, it means that you have to adjust the focus. Even if the image is clear, you may want to calibrate your binoculars to achieve an even sharper image. 5. **Cover the right lens on the binoculars and focus with your left eye.** Hold the palm of your hand over the right lens to cover it. If the image is blurry when you look with your left eye, it means that you need to adjust the focusing ring, in the center of your binoculars. The focusing ring puts the object that you're looking at in focus while the diopter on the right eyepiece compensates for the differences between your left and right eye. 6. **Adjust the focusing ring in the center of the binoculars.** The focusing ring is the wheel in the center of your binoculars, in between both barrels. Rotate the ring left and right until the image becomes clear in your left eye. After you’re done focusing the left eyepiece, take your hand off the lens. 7. **Cover the left lens and focus with your right eye.** Close your left eye and try to focus on the image with just your right eye. If the image isn't clear, it means you need need to adjust the diopter on the right eyepiece. If the vision in both of your eyes is the same, then you might not have to adjust the diopter on the right eyepiece. 8. **Adjust the diopter on the right eyepiece.** The diopter is the wheel on the eyepiece. This helps compensate for the differences in vision in your individual eyes. Rotate the diopter until you can see the object clearly with your right eye while the left lens is still covered. Focusing on one eye at a time will make calibrating your binoculars easier. 9. **Look through the binoculars and note the diopter settings.** Look through the binoculars with both eyes. The binoculars should feel comfortable and the object should be in focus. Most binoculars will come with markings on the diopter. Take note of where both diopters are so you know where to adjust them if they get changed or someone uses your binoculars. Once you get the correct calibration, you shouldn’t have to change it again. If the image is still blurry, you may need to adjust the diopter in the center of the binoculars.

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10 Ways to Avoid Awkward Silence with Friends and Keep the Conversation Flowing

Even the best of friends can experience awkward moments. Maybe you've all gathered for a party at your house and suddenly no one has anything to say, or someone's just said something pretty strange and no one knows how to respond. Whatever the case may be, there are many ways to respond to silence that can help alleviate any awkwardness (or at least make things a little less unbearable). 1. **That way you’ll have things to talk about whenever the conversation lulls.** Maybe you just watched a horror film that your friends might want to hear about or you read something in the news that seems worth discussing. Thinking of some potential conversation topics in advance can come in handy when you're trying to fill an awkward silence. If the conversation dies down, try something like, "I just read that a new pizza place is opening up down the street. Have ya'll heard anything about that?" or "I just watched Scream for the first time! Have any of you seen it?" Stay away from controversial subjects like politics or religion. 2. **People like talking about themselves!** If there's an awkward silence, ask a follow-up question about something your friend said earlier. To really move the conversation along, ask open-ended questions instead of ones with a simple yes or no answer. Try questions like: What was your dream career when you were a kid? If you could be any animal for a day, what would you be? What would be your dream vacation? If you could have dinner with any celebrity, living or dead, who would you choose? 3. **Make sure you're not just planning what you want to say next.** Think of a conversation as a collaboration with someone. You've got to really listen to what they have to say to learn new things about that person and come up with a thoughtful response. It's also a great opportunity to listen for potential conversation topics if you find yourself stuck in awkward silence. Nod along while someone is talking to help you concentrate on what they're saying. This also helps encourage your friend to keep talking! Turn your phone on silent and keep it in your purse or pocket. It's hard to really listen when you're checking your phone or getting text alerts constantly. 4. **Notice your friend's clothes, the decor in the room, and other details.** These can all be great conversation starters if you've run out of things to say. You can compliment your friend's cool sweater or ask them where they got their new backpack. Alternatively, you could say something about the song that's playing on the radio or take note of your friend's brand new stereo. Commenting on something like that can give the conversation a fresh start, and others can chime in on how they feel, too. Say something like, "I like your Ramones t-shirt, Rob. Do you have a favorite album of theirs?" 5. **Your conversation may be in need of a fresh start.** If you've spent the last ten minutes talking about the same subject, wait for the conversation to die down and bring up a new topic. You can talk about something related, or you could simply bring up a new topic entirely. Good conversation topics include philosophy, sports, movies, art, and local events. Don't fret if your new topic seems wildly unrelated to the previous subject. Your friends will more than likely appreciate a new subject to talk about, especially if you've been on the same one for a while! 6. **Not all silences are as awkward as they seem!** Maybe you and your friends just need a moment to decompress before starting a new conversation. Take the moment to reflect on what you've been talking about and think of new conversation topics. Awkwardness isn't always a bad thing. Feeling awkward can stem from getting out of your comfort zone. If these are new friends, maybe you're all just still getting to know each other. Awkwardness and feeling vulnerable is a part of that process! 7. **This can actually help everyone feel more at ease.** Your friends may be worried they're the ones being awkward or just as lost on what to say as you. A simple, "Well, this is awkward" will make people laugh, or at least know it's not just them. Try making light of the situation. Say something like, "I don't mean to be awkward, but is anyone else having a hard time coming up with something to say?" 8. **It's not your responsibility to fill every silence.** Your friends can help come up with new things to talk about as well! Relax and don't put too much pressure on yourself to fill every awkward silence. If things are a little quiet, wait for your friends to speak before rushing to talk. Think of the conversation like taking turns—everyone should get an equal chance to share. If you brought up a new subject after the last lull, give someone else a chance to speak next time a quiet moment arises. 9. **Adopt confident body language.** This helps you feel more comfortable with yourself, and it makes you seem more approachable in conversation. Hold your head high and stand or sit up straight as you speak. This newfound confidence will help you handle awkward situations with ease, and not overthink or feel insecure every time a moment of silence strikes. Feeling more confident will help you put yourself out there if it falls on you to change the subject or ask questions. Trying out these methods if you're feeling insecure can be pretty difficult, and it may not diffuse the awkwardness. If you find yourself feeling awkward when someone gives you a compliment, say, "Thank you!" as graciously as possible—don't just let the moment turn into an awkward silence. 10. **It's possible everyone is ready to stop talking.** Maybe it's late and you're all tired and ready to go home. Sometimes it's best to just let the conversation end and call it for the night! End the conversation on a good note by politely excusing yourself and thanking your friends for their time. Politely say something like, "Well, I'm getting pretty tired. Would ya'll want to call it a night?" or "I think I may have to get home soon. Can't wait to see you again soon!"

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How to Get Instagram Sponsors

Increasingly, more and more companies are using social media to reach their audiences and one of the best ways to do that is by paying people on sites like Instagram to promote their brand for them. You could become one of those sponsored Instagram members by developing your own clear brand and online following, reaching out to a brand and proposing a collaboration, and determining your responsibilities and payment. 1. **Create an Instagram account and upload 6-10 photos.** Before you want to be an Instagram influencer, you have to create your own Instagram account! When you first sign up, you can upload several pictures at once so your profile doesn't look completely uninteresting and empty. However, going forward it's not recommended to upload so many images at one time. 2. **Post photos with a consistent theme and style.** Establishing who you are on Instagram is an essential first step before you collaborate with a brand sponsorship. High quality photos are a must, because potential followers and brands won’t want to see blurry, grainy or unappealing photos on their feed or representing their products. Take photos that are about the same thing and that maintain a similar visual style. This clarifies to followers and brands what your image is and what they can expect from your posts. Examples of Instagram blog themes include food, cats, fashion, fitness, and travel. Sticking to a theme allows followers to think of you as a tastemaker or expert in that field, which increases the likelihood of a brand deciding to sponsor you. You can maintain a visual style by creating a color palette. This means, for instance, that most of your photos may feature a lot of pinks, oranges and yellows. You would then not include an image with a lot of shadows and dark browns and grays on your profile. 3. **Post 2 to 3 new photos every day.** Posting regularly helps build trust with followers and increases your visibility through the Instagram algorithm that promotes users to the “Explore” page. It is recommended to post at least 2-3 images or videos a day, separated by a few hours in between. For example, if you post a photo at 12pm wait until 3pm to post the next photo. Then maybe post another at 6pm or 7pm. If you are going to be unable to access Instagram for awhile—maybe you’re travelling, or at an event-—you can use various apps to queue, or schedule, future posts. This will allow you to maintain your posting even while you are not on Instagram. You can schedule posts to go up at 11am, 2pm, and 5pm without getting online at all. There are many apps available to help you schedule your Instagram posts, but choosing the best one for yourself depends on various factors like whether you want to pay for an app, and whether you are using iOS or Android software. 4. **Write engaging captions.** Your followers want to engage with you, and writing captions that go beyond a simple description of an activity or an inspirational quote will attract more interest in your content, showing vulnerability and a peak into your work or life. For example, a photo of you and your pet pug playing indoors with a toy could read: "Puggsly and I always find a way to have fun, even on rainy days," instead of a generic, vague caption like, "Playtime." 5. **Use several specific hashtags.** Hashtags help "tag" content to make it easy for users to find. For instance, tagging a photo of a French bulldog by adding #frenchbulldogs (a # sign indicates a tag) to the caption will increase the chances of someone who is searching for french bulldog photos finding your photo. You can add up to 30 hashtags, but using about 6-11 is a reasonable amount. Don’t use broad hashtags (e.g., #gym), as your post may be lost amid millions of other posts. Try something more specific to narrow your audience (e.g., #weightliftinggoals). 6. **Comment on other posts and establish relationships with your followers.** Instagram is a community, and if you’re going to thrive there it is important to engage with that community. This means commenting on other photos you admire and responding to comments on your own photos. For example, if a new follower comments "this looks delicious!" on a photo of a cinnamon bun you posted, you can respond conversationally with "It was! I got it at [name of restaurant], you should check it out if you're in the area, they're so cheap and yummy!" And you can follow them back to start building a familiarity. This will not only help build trust and affection between you and your followers, but will make you and your page look active and involved in the community when viewed by new eyes or potential brand sponsors. Besides the quality of your images, the number of followers and your relationship with them is the most important thing potential sponsors will consider before partnering with you. 7. **Choose a brand to pitch yourself to.** Before attempting to gain a brand sponsorship, it may be useful to make a list of your favorite brands that you would enjoy promoting. Choosing brands and companies that align with your interests or beliefs is a good start. Smaller brands are recommended to start with, as there will be fewer fellow influencers vying for a sponsorship and it is a good way to eventually be noticed by much larger brands. A good way to find brands is to think about products you use or maybe stores you shop in regularly and enjoy. If you know of local companies, that's even better. For example, if you want to be sponsored by your favorite drink brand, it is better to try work first with a company such as Skinny Bee Tee, a small detox tea company, than a corporation like Starbucks. You also want to see if the brand is already using influencers. Some brands are not employing influencers, and you don’t want to waste your time trying to convince them to. You can look at Instagram accounts of other influencers similar to you and see who is sponsoring them. 8. **Tag your favorite brands when you post about them.** When you feature brands you like in a posted image, you can tag their Instagram page. This increases the chance that they will see it, as will the brand’s fans and followers. Make sure, however, that the image and message you are posting is something the brand would like to be associated with, which means: high image quality, nothing offensive, and nothing negative about the brand or its fans. Find your favorite brand's Instagram page by searching their name on the website or app. You can then add their specific username (e.g., @chobani for Chobani yogurt) to your caption or, while editing a photo, tag them in the photo when given the option to "tag people in the photo." 9. **Tell brands how to contact you.** Make it clear that you are easy to communicate with. You can post your professional email address in your Instagram profile. If you have a blog or website linked to Instagram, you can add information there that says you are interested in partnerships. 10. **Reach out to the brand through direct messaging.** After interacting with the brand’s posts, you can send a direct message (“DM”) on Instagram explaining why you think this partnership would be a good idea. For example, if you message @chobani, you can say, "Good afternoon, I am a longtime fan of Chobani products and I believe my 10,000 followers would really respond to sponsored content from Chobani. Under my username @bakerlady, I post photos of my homemade baked goods, made from my favorite supermarket staples. I believe a post featuring an original recipe by me, made with Chobani yogurt, would be a great way to highlight the tastiness of your product. I would love to discuss a partnership opportunity further with you via email. My address is jane_smith@gmail.com, how may I contact you?" Additionally, you can search for the email address of the company’s Social Media Manager and reach out directly to that address. You can search for “[Company] Social Media Manager” to find the email on LinkedIn. 11. **Pitch your idea to the brand.** Once you have an email address, you should compose a concise, clearly-written pitch letter. The pitch letter will expand upon what you already said in your first message. The letter should communicate all of the important information they will want to know: who you are, what you do, what industry or Instagram niche you are a part of, what makes you qualified to promote their brand, your number of followers and engagement rate, and your pitch for how you and the brand could collaborate (e.g., suggesting a sample post). Remember to personalize the pitch letter. You don’t want them reading a generic letter that could have been sent to 50 brands in exactly the same way - they want to feel special! Tell them what you like about their brand, or what some of your favorite products or Instagram posts of theirs are. 12. **Determine your payment.** Congratulations, you’ve impressed a sponsor and now they want to work with you! Now you have to determine how much each post will earn you. A lot of beginning influencers undervalue themselves, but remember the time and work that goes into each post and the benefit you will be bringing to the sponsor. Some sponsors charge in relation to how many followers they have (e.g., $20 for every 1,000). The average amount tends to be $200-$400 per post. You may be able to ask beforehand whether the brand has a budget for sponsorships. This can help you determine a reasonable price to ask for, but ultimately you are the best judge of your value. 13. **Clarify your responsibilities with the sponsor.** Be sure to learn how many posts you are expected to post and when, and whether you will have to post a certain type of photo or caption. It is important to know all of this before you start posting, and to establish clear communication with your sponsor from the beginning so you enjoy working with each other. 14. **Read your contract carefully.** It is likely that you will have a contract to sign before you begin work. This will include details about your payment and responsibilities, so make sure they are what you agreed to. Look for whether the contract says you are in an “exclusive sponsorship” (which means you can’t promote any other brands, which may not be very useful to you), or if this is a “non-competing” partnership (which means that you can’t simultaneously promote a competitive brand. If you’re promoting Pepsi, you can’t promote Coca-Cola). 15. **Disclose your sponsorship in promoted posts.** When you finally post your sponsored content, you must disclose in the post that it is a sponsored post. It is illegal not to disclose that information, but Instagram makes it very easy to make this clear. They recently created a tool that allows you to tag a post as a “paid partnership with [brand].” If you don’t have that feature yet, you can simply include the hashtags #ad or #sponsored in your post’s caption.

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How to Make a Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie

A fruit and yogurt smoothie makes a delicious, healthy breakfast or afternoon snack. Once you get the hang of achieving the right ratio of fruit to yogurt, experiment by adding different types of fruits and sweeteners. This article has recipes for four different types of fruit and yogurt smoothies: strawberry banana, triple berry, tropical, and cinnamon spice. 1. **Chop the fruit.** For this smoothie you need a total of 1 cup of fruit. Slice a banana and chop strawberries so that you have a pile of fruit that adds up to a cup. If you like a strong banana flavor with a hint of strawberries, plan on using more banana; if you prefer a lighter smoothie with a little banana flavor, go heavier on the strawberries instead. You can freeze the strawberries and banana beforehand for an icier smoothie. 2. **Choose a sweetener.** Strawberries and bananas may be sweet enough for you by themselves, but some people like a little extra sweetness. You can add a teaspoon of regular sugar or go with honey or agave nectar for a delicious flavor. 3. **Decide what type of yogurt to use.** You need a cup of plain, vanilla-flavored, or other fruity-flavored yogurt, depending on your preference. Get either whole milk or skim milk yogurt. The more fat the yogurt has, the thicker and richer the smoothie will taste. 4. **Blend the ingredients.** Place the yogurt, the fruit, and the sweetener in a blender or food processor. Blend the ingredients until they are fully incorporated and no large chunks of fruit remain. Check out the texture of the smoothie. If you want to thin it out, add a few tablespoons of milk and continue blending. You can add some ice cubes to cool the smoothie down and give it an icier texture. 5. **Serve the smoothie.** Pour it into a glass so you can see its pretty pink color. Refrigerate if you won't be drinking it immediately. 6. **Prepare the berries.** This smoothie calls for one cup total of berries. You can use any combination of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and other types of berries you desire. Pick through the berries and remove those that are bruised or soft. Wash the berries and cut the stems off. You can use frozen berries in place of fresh berries in this smoothie. When you're considering which berries to use, know that raspberries and blackberries have excellent flavor but may contain a lot of tiny seeds. Try to find blueberries with soft, rather than tough, skins. The tougher skins are more difficult to blend. 7. **Mix yogurt and milk.** Berry smoothies tend to be really thick and almost gel-like. You can make them more drinkable by mixing yogurt with some milk, rather than using all yogurt. Combine 1/2 cup yogurt with 1/2 cup whole or skim milk, keeping in mind that the more fat the milk and yogurt have, the thicker the texture of the smoothie. 8. **Decide on a sweetener.** To keep this smoothie light, go with a teaspoon of stevia or agave nectar for your sweetener. You can also add a few pieces of a very ripe banana if you want to avoid sugar. 9. **Blend the ingredients.** Place the berries, yogurt/milk mixture, and sweetener in the blender. Blend the ingredients until the smoothie has no visible lumps. Check the consistency and add more milk, yogurt, or ice as desired. 10. **Serve the smoothie.** Pour this healthy smoothie into a glass to drink at home, or use a to-go container so you can enjoy it on the run. 11. **Get tropical fruits.** This pina colada-esque smoothie is an incredibly delicious summer treat. You'll need a total of a cup of your favorite tropical fruits. Buy them frozen or fresh, then cut them into 1/2-inch chunks. Consider these excellent options: Pineapple Mango Papaya Guava Passion fruit Kiwi 12. **Consider using Greek yogurt.** The thick texture of Greek yogurt offsets the juicy quality of the tropical fruits, and its tangy flavor pairs perfectly with their bursting sweetness. Get full fat or low fat Greek yogurt. You'll need one cup. 13. **Use juice as a sweetener.** Sweeten this smoothie with 1/4 cup orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, or mango juice. 14. **Blend the ingredients.** Place the fruit, yogurt, and juice in the blender. Blend the ingredients until they are completely smooth. Add more juice if you want to thin the smoothie, or more yogurt to make it thicker. 15. **Serve the smoothie.** Pour it into a glass for your self and drink immediately. This treat may also be served in dessert glasses with a fancy straw for a refreshing summertime dessert. 16. **Prepare autumn fruits.** Cut up an apple and a pear to use in this autumn smoothie. Peel the fruit first so that you don't end up with tough skins that will be difficult to blend. 17. **Use a cup of thick yogurt.** This wholesome smoothie tastes best with a thick, rich texture. Use a cup of whole plain yogurt with a creamy top. 18. **Add spices and sweetener.** Adding 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg to this smoothie gives it the flavor of fall. Use 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of maple syrup to sweeten it. 19. **Blend the ingredients.** Place the apple, yogurt, spices, and maple syrup in the blender. Blend the ingredients until they are completely smooth and creamy. Add a little milk if you want to thin it out. 20. **Serve the smoothie.** Pour it into glasses. Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon on top for garnish, then serve. 21. **Finished.** 22. **Assemble your ingredients.** You'll need a box of strawberries, some banana (optional), a container of plain vanilla yogurt, vanilla extract, and a box of blueberries. 23. **Slice the fruit, apart from the blueberries.** Make medium-sized slices of the strawberries and/or bananas. Cut off the leaves of the strawberries. It doesn't really matter if the slices are uneven, because they will blend together in the blender. 24. **Put all of the prepared fruit into the blender.** 25. **Scoop out the desired amount of yogurt form the container.** Add it to the blender. About 10 to 15 tablespoonfuls is a good amount. 26. **Put a little less than a teaspoon of vanilla onto a teaspoon.** Put it into the blender. 27. **Add anything else that you'd like.** For example, a little granola or a handful of nuts. 28. **Put the lid on the blender.** Let it mix for about 20 seconds, or until the mixture is pinkish with little flecks of dark in it. 29. **Pour out the desired amount into your cup.** Enjoy! 30. **Finished.**

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How to Paint Thin Lines with Acrylic

When you’re learning to paint, achieving beautiful thin lines can be a difficult and frustrating part of the process. Luckily, it’s easy to improve so long as you have the right brush and position your hand correctly as you paint. Choose a pointed round, liner, or rigger brush when painting thinner lines—these brushes are designed for elegant linework and will make the process much easier. Brace your hand as you paint and do your best to keep your wrist still while moving the brush. If you’re struggling to get clean lines with a brush, you can always use a filler bottle, artist’s tape, or a toothpick. 1. **Choose a pointed round brush for standard thin lines.** For lines thinner than 0.5 in (1.3 cm), a pointed round brush is your best bet. A flat brush will lead to uneven lines as you change directions with it, while a regular round brush won’t give you a lot of freedom when it comes to the width of your line. This brush is perfect for painting facial features, tree branches, cloud details, and other objects that require definition and control. The size of the brush will determine the width of the line, so choose your specific pointed round brush based on how thick you want the mark to be. For thin lines, you’ll likely need a #8 brush, or smaller. 2. **Use a liner brush for exceptionally thin lines.** For lines thinner than 0.125 inches (0.32 cm), grab a liner brush. Liner brushes have an extremely low number of bristles that are bundled tightly together, which makes them perfect for extremely thin marks. Grab a set of liner brushes to make the smallest lines possible. These brushes are great for adding tiny details, highlighting small objects, and painting background figures with a high degree of accuracy. They’re also phenomenal for adding small objects like hair, grass, and rain. Liner brushes are also known as detail brushes. These brushes are identical. Brushes do not get smaller than the liner brush. 3. **Grab a rigger brush to keep thin lines straight and even.** If you’re trying to paint an even line and keep it thin, use a rigger brush. A rigger brush is much longer than a standard brush, which makes it easier to control the bristles with minimal wrist movement. The longer bristles also help to maintain uniform contact with the surface you’re painting when you drag them at an angle. This leads to flatter, even colors in your lines. This brush is the best choice for medium-sized lines that need to be straight. This is a great choice for rays of light, comets, light poles, straight tree trunks, and shooting stars. This brush is not the best choice for lines thinner than 0.25 inches (0.64 cm), since the bristles make more contact with the surface when you use the brush. 4. **Use brushes with synthetic bristles for acrylic paint.** Since acrylic paint has water in it, natural bristles will absorb the water and result in weaker, more inconsistent lines. Inversely, synthetic bristles don’t mind water at all and will retain their shape even when they’re wet. Choose brushes with synthetic bristles when working with acrylic paint. When it comes to the size of the brush, use whatever feels good in your hand. There are no hard rules surrounding what size your brush should be. At the art store, pick brushes up and hold them in your hand to see how they feel. 5. **Wet the brush and dip it into the paint without overloading it.** Dip your brush in water to get the bristles wet. Gently lower the tip of your brush into the paint on your easel. The amount of paint that you load into your brush directly correlates with how paint will be applied when you use the brush. Keeping the paint on the tip of your brush will keep your lines from being too wide when you paint. How deep you dip the tip depends on the size of the line you’re trying to paint. For an extremely thin line, only dip the top 0.10 in (0.25 cm). Keep in mind, you’ll need to reload you brush frequently when painting lines this thin. You can use a gel medium instead of water if you prefer. 6. **Brace your hand by resting it on the painting surface to stabilize the brush as it moves.** It’s hard to maintain a thin line if your hand is hanging in the air and has nothing to keep it stable. To avoid this, press the base of your wrist or the side of your hand against your painting surface as you paint. Use your wrist or hand to keep the brush level with the painting surface. 7. **Hold the brush perpendicular to your painting surface and steady your hand.** For the thinnest lines possible, hold the brush perpendicular to the surface that you’re painting. Grip your fingers around the brush, 1–3 inches (2.5–7.6 cm) above the bristles based on your personal preference. 8. **Lower the tip and drag your hand slowly across the paper to create the line.** Lower your brush until the tip is barely touching the surface. Then, without moving your wrist, drag your entire hand in the direction you’re painting your line to apply your paint. Do not change the angle of your brush as you’re painting. 9. **Reload your brush every 1–3 in (2.5–7.6 cm) whenever it dries out.** If you’re only using the very tip of your brush to paint, you’ll need to reload the brush every 1–3 inches (2.5–7.6 cm). If you’re dragging the bristles behind at an angle, you’ll likely need to reload the brush every 4–6 inches (10–15 cm). Whenever your lines start to thin out and become patchy, reload the bristles with more paint. Rigger brushes are generally good at retaining paint and do not require as much reloading as pointed round brushes. Liner brushes need to be reloaded most often. 10. **Push lightly and drag the bristles behind the paint for fuller lines.** For thin lines that are a little fuller, hold your brush at a 45-degree angle to the surface that you’re painting. Press the tip of the brush into the surface and drag the brush without moving your wrist up or down. This way, the bristles will drag behind the tip of your brush as you paint, resulting in a full line. This is the better option if you’re painting lines that are roughly 0.25–0.50 inches (0.64–1.27 cm) in width, since you won’t need to reload your brush as often. 11. **Paint over thinned-out lines to darken them.** When you paint thin lines, your brush is more likely to miss small portions of the surface as you’re applying your paint. To fill these lines in, use multiple applications of paint to darken the line. Use the same method that you used to apply the paint the first time to ensure that the texture is even. Paint directly over your line as needed until the color is even and uniform. Thin lines don’t always come out cleanly because the individual bristles don’t always retain the same amount of paint as you’re applying it. Since a smaller number of bristles are applying your paint, the odds are higher the paint won’t come out evenly. 12. **Use artist’s tape to paint thin, straight lines with sharp edges.** Pull out a length of tape and hold it taut. Then, slowly lower the tape against your painting surface. Repeat this process and put a second piece of tape parallel to your first piece. The gap between the 2 pieces will be where your line appears. Use any kind of brush to paint between the 2 pieces and pull your tape up to make a perfect line. You cannot use artist’s tape on paper. Unfortunately, the adhesive tends to remove texture from the paper. 13. **Opt for a fine line bottle to paint like you’re using a pen.** Set your painting surface up vertically by leaning your canvas against a wall. You can use clothespins or magnets to hold paper up. Fill the bottle with your paint and attach the top of the bottle. Set your canvas or paper up vertically. Turn the bottle on its side and press the tip of the bottle against your painting surface. Squeeze the bottle while moving your wrist to apply the paint like you’re using a pen or marker. A fine line bottle looks kind of like a condiment container. It has a small opening at the tip where paint leaks out like a ball point pen. Purchase a fine line bottle online or at an art supply store. If you use a fine line bottle while your painting surface is laying flat, gravity will naturally pull a larger amount of paint out of the bottle as you use it. This can lead to some messy lines. 14. **Choose a toothpick for tiny lines and to add movement to wet paint.** Dip the tip of your toothpick in the paint and drag the tip into the surface that you’re painting to apply an extremely thin line. You can use the sharp point of the toothpick for barely-visible lines, or the flat edge on the side of the point for slightly larger lines. Alternatively, you can use the tip of a toothpick to add small lines to wet paint. After painting a surface, drag the tip of the toothpick in the wet paint. Drag lightly to add movement to the paint or drag firmly to remove the paint and create a light line where the paint used to be.

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How to Germinate Pomegranate Seeds

Pomegranate trees are a popular ornamental plant with bright orange-red flowers, shiny foliage, and tart fruit. You can start pomegranate trees by germinating seeds directly from the fruit, though these trees may not produce fruit as consistently as those made from cuttings of existing trees. Seeds can be planted in the ground in areas with mild winters or, if you are in an area with a colder climate, start them in pots before moving outdoors. 1. **Select soil with naturally good drainage.** Pomegranates don't have many soil requirements. Almost any type will do, but it needs to drain well. If you have clay-based soil or another type with poor drainage, replace it with a looser topsoil. A visual test is an easy way to check your soil's drainage. Dig a 1 foot (0.30 m) x 1 foot (0.30 m) hole in the ground, and wait until the soil in it is dry to the touch (this might take a day or more). Pour enough water into the hole to fill it up. If it takes more than a few hours for the water to drain out of the hole, then your soil has poor drainage. 2. **Test the soil’s pH.** Pomegranates do well in moderately alkaline soil, with a pH a little above 7. However, they will also tolerate slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 5.5-7). Buy a soil pH test kit from a garden store and check your soil to make sure it's somewhere in this moderate pH range. 3. **Wait for warm weather.** In a temperate zone, you can plan on sowing pomegranate seeds in spring after the last frost. In subtropical zones, late spring to early summer will be the optimum time. Pomegranates actually won't do well in tropical zones, since the weather there will be too humid. 4. **Check the soil temperature.** Pomegranate seeds will germinate best in soil that is 24 °C (75 °F) to 26 °C (79 °F). If the air temperature isn’t mostly at or above these temperatures, use a soil thermometer to check the ground temperature. If your soil temperature is not up to this level, wait for warmer weather. You can get a head start by germinating your seeds indoors, however. 5. **Till the soil.** Run a stiff rake or a tiller over the area where you want to plant pomegranate trees. The goal is to remove any weeds, large rocks, or other debris, and to loosen up the soil so that it will be easier for the plants to grow. After debris is removed and clumps of dirt are broken, go over the soil again with a rake to even it out again. 6. **Start your seeds indoors instead if you want to get ahead.** Germinating your seeds early and allowing them to reach seedling stage by the time warmer weather starts gives you a longer growing season. However, you’ll have to plant them in pots in regular potting soil and keep them indoors in a sunny area. You do not have to use special seedling containers if germinating your seeds indoors. Regular plant pots are just fine. 7. **Separate fresh seeds from the juice.** You can germinate fresh pomegranate seeds, but it will take much longer of you don't separate them from the juice and rinse them well. Just lay the pomegranate pieces between two paper towels, and go over them with a rolling pin. Then, place the seeds in a colander and rinse them well. The juice will be absorbed by the paper towels, leaving the actual seeds separated. If you buy pomegranate seeds that are already separated from the juice and ready for planting, you can of course skip ahead to pre-soaking them. 8. **Dry the seeds.** Remove them from the paper towel and spread them on a tray in a single layer. Let the seeds sit until they are dry to the touch. Let the seeds dry out for a few days. 9. **Chill the seeds.** Place the seeds, loosely covered, in the refrigerator. Let them stay there for a few weeks. This helps speed up germination by simulating the time the seeds would have spent in cooler ground during the winter before sprouting the next spring. If you are starting your seeds during the winter, then you can skip this part of the process. 10. **Presoak the seeds.** When you’re ready to germinate the pomegranate seeds, take them out and cover them with warm water in a dish. Leave them there overnight. You do not need to dry the seeds. They can be planted while they are still damp. 11. **Place the seeds in a baggie.** Another option for starting your seeds is to place them inside of a damp coffee filter and then place the filter inside of a plastic bag, such as a Ziploc sandwich baggie. Place the bag somewhere warm and check the seeds every few days. When the seeds start to sprout, transfer them to pots. 12. **Put the seeds in the soil.** Plant them at a depth of 5 millimetres (0.20 in). All you have to do is scatter the seeds over the soil in the ground outdoors, and slightly push them down or cover them with a thin layer of more soil. Don't worry about spacing at first. Later, you can remove seedlings so that only the strongest stay in the ground. If you are germinating the seeds in pots, you can plant several per pot, using regular potting soil. After they sprout, you can remove some to keep only the strongest seedlings. If you are using pots indoors, remember to keep them wherever they can get the most sun. 13. **Keep the soil moist after sowing.** Mist or lightly water the soil, but not so much that it’s soaking wet. The goal is to keep the seeds moist to help speed along the germination process. 14. **Cover indoor pots with a plastic bag.** Loosely place a plastic bag over the pots just until the seeds sprout. This can help retain heat and moisture, speeding up the germination process. This can be especially helpful if you live in a cooler climate. 15. **Monitor the soil regularly and water whenever necessary.** At first, you may need to water your seeds every day to keep them moist. After the seeds germinate and sprout, you can gradually start watering less frequently. Eventually, once a week or so should be enough (less often if it rains). 16. **Give your pots time in the sun each day.** If you started your seeds indoors, once the weather warms up a little, you can start moving the pots outside during the day while the sun is out. Then, bring them back in before the temperature drops at nightfall. As long as the danger of frost is over, it should be warm enough to give your pots some outside time. 17. **Wait for germination.** In a temperate zone with a warm spring, the seeds will germinate in about six weeks. If you live in a slightly cooler or warmer area, your seeds may take a little less or a little more time. 18. **Space out seedlings planted in the ground.** If you germinated your seeds in the ground, thin the seedlings out by the time they are 4 inches (10 cm) to 6 inches (15 cm) high. Pull any wilted or weak seedlings out of the ground, so that only healthy, vibrant ones remain. Leave only enough seedlings so that they will be 2-3 m (6-9 ft.) apart if you want the trees to form a hedge, or 5-6 m (15-18 ft.) apart if you want them to grow orchard-style. 19. **Take the plants out of their pots once the weather is warm.** If you germinated your seeds in pots, wait until they are 4 inches (10 cm) to 6 inches (15 cm) high. Simply choose a sunny spot and transplant them into the ground: Take the seedling and its entire root ball out of the pot. Gently remove some of the dirt that clings to the edges of the root ball. Dig a hole at the planting side that is larger than the root ball. Place the seedling's root ball in the hole, and carefully replace the dirt in the hole until it is completely filled and there is a small mound around the base of the seedling. Water the planting site and continue to monitor it.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Germinate-Pomegranate-Seeds", "language": "en"}

How to Get Joint Custody

In most states, custody determinations are split between “legal custody” (decision-making authority) and “physical custody” (residence). Joint custody also called shared custody, is an arrangement that allows both parents decision-making and/or physical rights with regard to their child. If both parents can agree on all aspects of legal and physical parental responsibilities, then a joint custody agreement is generally a straight-forward process. However, sometimes one parent has to make a case to earn joint custodial rights. 1. **Start a case when you are married.** If you are currently married to the other parent, you can petition for custody once you start one of the following cases: Divorces, annulments, or legal separations, which are cases you will file if you want to end your marriage with the other parent; Domestic violence restraining orders, which you will file if you have been the victim of domestic violence; Petitions for custody and support of minor children, which you will file if you and the other parent do not want to get a divorce, but you want to set up a custody arrangement for other reasons; or Child support agency cases, which occur when you are the subject of a local child support enforcement case. 2. **Begin the process when you are not married.** If you are not married to the other parent, you can petition for custody once you start one of the following cases: Parentage cases, which are filed when parents are not married but have children together; Domestic violence restraining orders; Petitions for custody and support of minor children, which can also be filed when you and the other parent were never married at all; and Child support agency cases. 3. **Petition the court for custody once you have started your case.** After you have opened an appropriate family law case, you will need to file a petition for custody of your child. The remainder of this article will take you through that process. 4. **Consider hiring an attorney.** If you can afford a family law attorney, you should consider hiring one to help you navigate the custody process. See this article for directions on how to find a good family law attorney. Even if you cannot afford a full-service attorney, many attorneys provide limited services at a reasonable cost. This means you may be able to hire an attorney to prepare your documents, give you limited legal advice, or potentially even teach you about this area of the law, without having to pay the attorney to take on the entire custody process. 5. **Locate the appropriate court.** You will file your petition for joint custody in the same court you opened your family law case in. Generally, you will open your family law case in the country where your child lives. This is true even if you live in a different county. 6. **Complete the necessary forms.** In order to petition the court for joint custody of your child, you will have to fill out a request for an order. This form will require you to divulge information including your request for custody and the facts supporting your request. These facts should indicate why you deserve custody of the child and how your custody request will be in the best interest of that child. Because you are petitioning the court for joint custody, you will need to decide what type of custody you are going to seek. You could seek either physical or legal custody, or you could seek to share either or both of those duties with the other parent. Regardless, because you are filing for joint custody, you will not be asking for full control of both the legal and the physical responsibilities of the child. 7. **Review your forms.** Once you have filled out the required forms to request a custody trial, you will want to review them carefully. These forms are going to be the basis of your custody argument, so you want to make sure they have been filled out accurately and completely. If you will not have the help of an attorney, consider using some of the free legal resources available to you. For example, in California, you can contact a family law facilitator or a self-help center for assistance with these forms. If you are in California, use this link and this link for more information about those resources. 8. **File the forms.** Once your forms have been reviewed and you have determined they are ready to file, you will want to go to your local courthouse to file them. At the courthouse, file your forms with the clerk of courts. The clerk of courts will take possession of your forms and will require you to pay a filing fee. Fees will differ from state to state, and even county to county. If you cannot afford the fee, you can always ask for a fee waiver. In order to receive a fee waiver, you will need to show some sort of financial hardship. For example, you could show that you are receiving public benefits or that you do not have enough income to provide for basic necessities and pay the filing fee. 9. **Serve the other party.** When you serve the other party, you will hire someone (the sheriff or another competent adult) to give a copy of your filed documents to the other party to look over and respond to. To serve the other party, the person you hire must provide the required documents to them, either in person or through the mail. If you are serving someone through the mail, it must be sent by certified mail. In Pennsylvania, this process must be completed within 30 days of filing your documents with the court. In some states (e.g., Michigan), your answer must also be served on the other party at least five days before the hearing if you provided service through the mail, and at least three days before the hearing if you have the other party served personally. For more information about serving another party, look here. In addition to serving the other party with the documents you filed with the court, you will also serve the other party with a blank response form and a blank Declaration Under Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. These documents will be used by the other party in order to respond to your filed lawsuit. 10. **Wait for an answer.** Once you have successfully served the other party with your petition for joint custody, the other party will have an opportunity to respond to your petition. When the other parent answers your petition, they will have the option of agreeing with your requests or denying some or all of your requests. Also, the other parent may fail to file an answer at all. If the other parent declines to file an answer, you could file for a default judgment. A default judgment cannot resolve all issues, however. For example, the court can modify visitation if the child is in your state but the other parent lives out of state. But the court probably cannot modify an order for child support from the out-of-state parent. 11. **Take part in mediation.** If the other party filed an answer and you did not get a default judgment, some courts will require you and the other party to take part in mediation before you can go to court. If your court requires mediation, you and the other party should make a good faith effort to agree on the terms of custody there, which will allow you to avoid the trial process. For more information about mediation, look here. 12. **Submit an agreement.** If you and the other party took part in mediation, and you came to an agreement allowing you to have joint custody of your child, get the agreement signed by the court and that will act as your valid custody order. In California, in order to validate a custody agreement, you must first fill out a Stipulation and Order for Custody. Once you fill out this form, you will obtain the judge's signature on your stipulation and you will file it with the clerk of courts. 13. **Understand what you need to prove in court.** If you were unable to reach an agreement during mediation, or if your court does not require or offer mediation services, you will have to go to court and tell a judge why you deserve joint custody of your child. Since you are asking for joint custody, the court will look to a variety of factors to determine what is in the child's “best interests.” These factors will differ by state. They will be listed in either a statute passed by the legislature or in a court opinion issued by your state supreme court. Courts will look at different factors, depending on the state. Michigan, for example, considers: the love and affection existing between the parties and the child; the ability and willingness of the parties to provide food, shelter, clothing, and medical care; moral fitness of the parent; stability of the custodial environment; and mental and physical health of the parties, among other factors. Among a variety of factors, Kentucky considers the wishes of the child; the child's adjustment to home, school, and community; the mental and physical health of all individuals involved; as well as the interaction and interrelationship of the child to each parent and to siblings. To find the specific factors for your state, search online for “best interests of the child” and then your state. Understanding what you must prove at court will clarify the kinds of evidence you should seek during the discovery process. For example, you will need to prove your physical health, your willingness to provide food and medical care, as well as a stable home environment. You will also need to fend off attacks to these same characteristics. 14. **Think about the science behind parenting.** Studies in developmental psychology have shown that the child has formed deep attachments in the first three years of life. Severing the attachment between one parent and the child, especially if the child lived with both parents during these years, can have psychological ramifications. This concept is well-known throughout domestic relations courts, so if the child has been in the custody of both parents for three years, simply state to the court that it is in the best interests of the child to continue to have relationships with both parents. In order to show that you're considering your child's best interests, include evidence that you live close to the child's school in the home that the child grew up in, that your job would not take time away from caring for the child, and that you do not have any illnesses that could interfere with the child's care. 15. **Make a list of details about your child's life.** Write down what classes he or she is taking. Write down who are his or her doctors, teachers and other important influences. Include details about memories that you have with your child from when you last had custody. If you have visitation with your child currently, make sure that you ask him or her what is going on in school and with friends. If you are unable to get information on your child's current activities, make sure you know basics about your child, such as your child's age and grade in school, before attending the hearing. 16. **Show that your child will not be taken out of their routine.** To show that you can provide a safe and stable environment for your child, show that you live near your child's school. This will demonstrate that your child will not be taken out of their routine when they stay with you. They will also not have to endure a long and stressful commute. 17. **Show that you can provide a support system for your child.** You should demonstrate that you will be in the home when your child is there. This means that you will not regularly leave your child with a babysitter or alone while you work or are otherwise busy. Otherwise, show that you will have someone who is familiar to the child stay with him or her if you must be away from home. For example, if you have to work some nights that your child would be staying with you, you could show that the child's grandparent or other relative will available to stay with the child while you are gone. 18. **Establish proof of your mental and physical health.** To have custody, you must prove to be mentally and emotionally fit and physically able to take care of a child. You cannot have a physical or mental sickness that could cause you to neglect your child or put your child in danger in any way. Establish proof of good physical and mental health with a statement or medical records from your primary physician. Someone who is suffering from an extreme case of paranoid schizophrenia would not be able to gain custody of a child. Because of this condition, the child could be placed in a dangerous situation. 19. **Show that you are proactive in addressing health issues.** If you do have any conditions that could interfere with your ability to be the primary caregiver for your child, you should show the court that you have taken steps to proactively address the condition. Additionally, explain why the condition will not interfere with your abilities and duties as a parent. For example, if you have been diagnosed with mild depression, you should disclose your medical history to the court. Explain that you regularly see a therapist and that you have been on medication for X number of years. You should also include information that shows that you have never put your child in danger because of a medical condition. This could simply be a statement stating “I have never put my child in danger because of my condition (whatever it is).” 20. **Confirm that you have no history of abuse.** Show that you do not have issues with abuse. This includes mental, physical and sexual abuse, as well as drug and alcohol abuse. 21. **Write down reasons why you think joint custody is best.** It's a good idea to think about reasons that joint custody would be the best for your child. If you are worried about remembering your arguments, feel free to write them down, along with any other thoughts you have on the custody process. 22. **Engage in discovery.** The first pretrial stage you will encounter will be discovery. During discovery, you will have the opportunity to collect facts, get witness statements, find out what the other party is going to say at trial, and get an idea of how good your case is. If you take part in informal discovery, you may conduct interviews with witnesses, collect documents, and take photographs. These are all considered informal discovery processes because they are things you can do on your own while working with cooperative people. If you need to use formal discovery, you will utilize various tools to require uncooperative parties to give you information you need. These tools include: interrogatories, which are written questions the other party must answer; depositions, which are in-person interviews with an opposing party or witness; requests for documents, which asks the other party to produce documents you want to see; and requests for admissions, which will involve you asking another party whether certain statements are true. 23. **Meet for a custody evaluation.** Oftentimes, during the preliminary stages of a custody lawsuit, the court will require you and the other parent to go through a custody evaluation, which will then be submitted to the court. A custody evaluation will usually be a report, written by a professional, opining on the parenting skills and abilities of you and the other party. You will likely have to take part in multiple interviews, some being conducted with the other party and others being conducted alone. The evaluator will ask questions to try and determine if giving you joint custody will be in the best interests of the child. For example, you may be asked, “How do you show love for the child?” Also, you may be asked to provide the evaluator with community and school records. The evaluator may want school records, such as disciplinary violations, or a record of the community activities the child participates in. You will need to sign a release for the evaluator to access them. The evaluator may also want a “home record.” This consists of information about the child's behavior (outgoing or withdrawn), as well discipline problems and relationships with siblings. 24. **Schedule your trial.** Towards the end of your preparations for trial, you will have to schedule a time to actually conduct the trial. To do this, contact the clerk of courts and request a trial date. You may have to go in front of a judge in order to convince them that the trial date that is set will work for both parties and that everyone will be prepared. 25. **Arrive on time.** When your trial date arrives, get to the courthouse early. You will be required to go through a security checkpoint, which will look and feel a lot like airport security. Once you get through security, go to your courtroom and wait until your case is called. 26. **Dress appropriately.** An important part of being successful in court involves dressing professionally. A courtroom is considered a professional and serious venue, so you need to dress that way. Always wear a suit if you have one. You should always avoid wearing shorts, sandals, and hats. 27. **Deliver an opening statement.** You or your lawyer will need to give the judge a roadmap of what the evidence will show. The opening statement should be brief, but should summarize what evidence will support your claim to full custody. Do not engage in argument. Emotions can run high in a custody hearing, but there is nothing to argue about during the opening statement because no evidence has been admitted into court yet. 28. **Call witnesses.** As the petitioner (the person seeking joint custody), you will present witnesses first. The respondent (the other parent) will then have an opportunity to cross-examine each witness. Do not ask leading questions. A leading question states a fact and then asks the witness to agree. For example, “You never spank your child, do you?” is a leading question. Instead, the lawyer should ask a series of questions such as “How often does your son misbehave?” “Do you punish him?” “How do you punish him?” Then the attorney can ask, “Have you ever spanked your son?” Ask witnesses to identify any documents you want introduced into evidence. You must first elicit testimony that a document is what you claim it is before it can be admitted into evidence. 29. **Cross-examine the witnesses for the other side.** The purpose of cross-examination is to either discredit the witness or to minimize the testimony by showing that the witness is biased or lacking in sufficient knowledge to testify about the matter. You can impeach a witness with a prior inconsistent statement. If a witness ever praised you as a parent, then that statement can be introduced if the witness now claims on the stand that you are a bad parent. If someone testifies that you and your child fight, then you can minimize the damage by highlighting how infrequently the witness sees you with your child. Always try to remain calm. If you feel anger overwhelming you, close your eyes for five seconds and breathe deeply. 30. **Deliver a closing argument.** You or your lawyer will summarize your case, explicitly linking evidence to the best interest of the child factors provided in you state's statute. Counter bad facts as best as you can. If you don't have a clean criminal record, then concede that fact before highlighting the evidence that shows you have lived responsibly for the past several years. 31. **Wait for the court's decision.** Once your trial is over, the judge will make a decision regarding your case. If you prevail, you will have obtained joint custody of your child. If you were unsuccessful at trial, you can choose to appeal the judge's decision if you think they made a mistake.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Joint-Custody", "language": "en"}

How to Be a Classy Lady

Being "a lady" is about showing that you have class, manners, and good breeding. Being a classy lady doesn't mean that you should be snobby or stuck up, but that you should have dignity, consideration, and moderation in your daily actions. If you want to know how to be a classy lady, just follow these steps. 1. **Improve your posture** Having good posture is an important part of being classy. Make sure to keep your back straight, whether you're sitting down or standing up, and to avoid slouching at all costs. Slouching is a sign of laziness and bad manners, so make sure you keep your spine straight and your head up as much as you can. When sitting, don't cross one leg on the other. Instead, cross them at the feet and not behind the chair. Try doing this when you're by yourself, too, so you get used to doing it in front of others. 2. **Maintain good hygiene** This means showering every day, and always wearing clean clothes, without stains. If you're doing something where you'll get dirty, change right after. If you're in a situation where you'll get sweaty (e.g. a dance), bring an extra shirt just in case. 3. **Be well-groomed.** Brush your hair several times a day, if need be, and be prepared to put your hair up again if bits are falling out. Don't brush your hair in public, though, because it could be seen as undignified; wait until you're alone in the bathroom to do it. 4. **Wear classy makeup (optional).** If makeup is your thing, then you should apply it appropriately. For day-wear, natural-looking makeup is the best. Little or no makeup is better than smudged makeup. Remember that too strong or poorly applied makeup has a tendency to look cheap. 5. **Dress elegantly and modestly** The key word here is to dress with dignity. This does not have to cost very much. Keep your clothes in good repair. Anything ripped, or revealing could potentially be seen as inappropriate although this depends on the event or the look you are going for. It is more important that the clothes fit you well, are wrinkle-free, appropriate for the occasion, and cover all the essential bits. This means not wearing anything too short (short skirts or shorts), too translucent, or anything that exposes your belly. If you really wish to wear something a little revealing (deep neck, bare shoulders, or a high cut on the skirt), reveal one thing only. For example, an evening top with a low neck should be accompanied with a long skirt/trousers and have proper sleeves that cover the shoulders. Remember that, when in doubt, it's better to be a little bit overdressed than a little bit underdressed. If you're in doubt about what to wear to an occasion, it's better to look a little nicer than the other guests than to look like you didn't put as much time into your looks as the others. 6. **Always use refined language.** Don't swear or use crude expressions. Profanity is one of the least lady-like traits. If you feel that your conversation becomes very dull without the use of profanity, remember that this is just temporary. As you substitute in non-profane expressions (of which there is a virtually limitless supply), you will find your language becoming more specific, more expressive, and more interesting. 7. **Be an articulate speaker.** If you want to sound classy, then you have to speak clearly, avoid mumbling or talking too loudly, and be grammatically correct. A classy lady speaks with confidence and talks clearly enough for others to understand her. Avoid saying "um," or "like" every two seconds, because that will make you look unrefined. For example, say "Hi Jade, did you finish your homework for Science?" instead of saying "Sup Bro, did yo' finish the homework cuz I didn't!", the latter being grammatically incorrect. Read regularly to improve your vocabulary and range of expression. 8. **Be considerate of others.** This is the key to being classy, and without this, you will easily be mistaken for a snob. Be particularly attentive to the needs of the elderly and remember that nobody is beneath your notice. Always be polite. Classy ladies do not say anything hurtful or offensive to other people. If you have to confront someone or put them in their place, speak the truth as you see it, but in moderate language and without recourse to shouting. It is important to find the right time and place for such confrontations. If you want to be a classy lady, then you should treat waiters, strangers, friends of friends, or neighbors with the same level of respect you would give to your close friends. 9. **Make people comfortable.** Classy ladies are social and at ease with others. The key to doing this lies in making the people you meet feel at ease and accepted. If this is not easy for you, work on improving your social skills, and on being charismatic. Improving your conversational skills is a great way of putting people at ease, and making an impression as a well-bred and well-informed lady. 10. **Perfect your etiquette.** A good start is to always be polite and to say thank you once too often rather than too little. A firm grasp on etiquette is also helpful if you get nervous in social situations, because you'll always know how you're supposed to act. Learn dinner etiquette, party etiquette, workplace etiquette, and dating etiquette to become more ladylike. Remember that it is really poor etiquette to comment on or make a fuss about other people's lack of etiquette or manners. Unless the situation really warrants it (their behavior may cause harm to themselves or others, or is on the way far side of moral and acceptable behaviour), graciously overlook their gaffes and shortcomings. Try to keep your hands out of your pockets while chatting with new people. Also, put lotion on your hands after you wash them so they won't be dry or rough. 11. **Avoid gossiping about others.** Malicious gossip or speaking badly of people behind their back is not very lady-like. Though you may be angry at someone or feel wronged, gossiping about it to a third party will not solve your problems. If you want to be a classy lady, then you have to restrain yourself and avoid saying anything negative about other people unless you want to cause trouble for yourself. Keep your Facebook posts classy, too. Stick to the positive instead of ranting about "some people" who have done you wrong. 12. **Stand up for yourself with dignity.** Being classy and polite does not in any way mean being a pushover or voicing opinions that are not your own. If you deem that your opinions may be too forceful or may be hurtful to those present, do not lie, but change the topic to something else. If someone asks an impertinent question, do not feel obliged to answer - make a joke, or endeavor to turn the question around. When you do stand up for yourself, state your case without resorting to name-calling or getting overly emotional. 13. **Be well-read.** Read novels to find role-models for etiquette and good manners. Jane Austen is exceptional in her shrewd portrayal of good and bad manners and morals, and a must-read for anyone wishing to be a classy lady. Reading classic novels also has the benefit or making you a well-informed lady, and there is nothing classy about ignorance. Being well-read will also make you able to make more sophisticated conversation. 14. **Find classy friends.** If you're really determined to be classy, then you have to seek out classy company. If your friends are bringing down your level of classiness or not supporting your new mindset, then you may want to seek out other people who help you become your true classy lady self. These people should be confident, self-assured, and maybe a little bit older and more mature so you can learn from them. Your friends should lift you up, not bring you down, so you should hang out with people who make you want to be better than you actually are. 15. **Be a conscientious citizen.** Part of being classy means being a good, conscientious citizen. What the heck does this mean? A number of things. Don't leave your shopping cart hanging out in the parking lot after you've put your groceries in your trunk; return it to the cart aisle. Let pedestrians cross in front of you when you're driving. Hold the door for the elderly, even if you're in a rush. If you've dropped something in the supermarket, clean it up or tell an employee what happened. Don't just walk away from your mess. 16. **Drop the habits of an unclassy lady.** If you're really committed to being classy, then you have to get rid of a few things that may be making you look less classy than you really are. Here are some good things to avoid: Loudly smacking your gum Loudly chewing your food Burping in public Getting too drunk in public Giving people the finger Cursing Rolling your eyes Farting in public Picking your nose Kissing in public 17. **Accept responsibility for your own actions** Being able to own what you've done in your life is the height of class. It's not classy to play the victim, blame all your problems on someone else, or to say, "I would have been able to do thing X if only Y hadn't..." Stop whining or making excuses and understand that life is what you make of it and that you have the power to be as classy as you want and to have a life as good as you want it to be. It's not classy to complain about all of the things you don't have. It's classy to admit that you have a lot of work to do to become the person you really want to be.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Classy-Lady", "language": "en"}

How to Glue Acrylic

The process of gluing acrylic is slightly different than the process of gluing other substances, such as paper or wood, together. Rather than working as a simple adhesive, acrylic cement creates a chemical reaction that physically bonds or welds plastic. Though it sounds complicated, the process can be quite simple - as long as you're safe, meticulous, and patient. All you have to do is prepare and wait. 1. **Find an appropriate workspace.** Since you'll be working with an adhesive that can cause fumes, you want to first make sure you are in a well-ventilated area. For example, working outdoors or in a room with more than one window. Position your work area between windows or between a window and open doorway. You should also set up a box fan or two to blow air away from you. A room that has an exhaust fan works well, too. 2. **Take the appropriate safety precautions.** This means wearing safety goggles, gloves, and a facemask. Outside of the potential vapors from the acrylic cement, you also want to make sure that any refuse from cutting or sanding the acrylic doesn't get in your lungs or eyes. Make sure you are also following the directions on the acrylic cement closely to avoid any mishaps. 3. **Select your work surface.** Whether you are planning to glue in a workroom, a garage, or even your kitchen, you want to make sure that the surface area you’re using is compatible with acrylic cement. Try to stick to an area that’s concrete, metal or wood. Do not glue acrylic on a surface containing glass or paper. 4. **Examine the edges of the acrylic.** Make sure that the borders of the acrylic you want to join are flat and free of bumps or cuts. Acrylic cement will not adhere or sink into grooves and crevices like regular glue does on wood or paper. Instead, it softens the acrylic and chemically bonds the pieces together, so it's important they are as flat as possible. If you notice any rough areas, use a router (a power tool with a shaped cutter) or light sandpaper to ensure that the edges are perfectly smooth and square. However, do not sand the edges so that they become round. Make sure that any surfaces being bonded together are lightly sanded and not shiny, as a very smooth surface is tough to bond together. 5. **Clean the acrylic with isopropyl alcohol.** Once you have sanded and smoothed the sides of your acrylic, wipe over it with a clean cloth and alcohol. Using Isopropyl alcohol will help guarantee that all dirt, dust, and other fragments have been removed. It will also remove any residual oils left by your hands, which can interfere with gluing. Be sure that your surfaces are totally dust-free – this is really important to the process. 6. **Prepare your acrylic cement/glue.** The most common glue for acrylics is a solvent-based glue like Weld-On 4, which can be found on Amazon for under $15. This glue should also come with its own applicator bottle and needle. To use, simply fill the applicator bottle, via a funnel, until the bottle is about 75% full. Once filled, squeeze the bottle gently to allow some of the air inside to escape. 7. **Join the acrylic pieces.** Place the pieces of acrylic together as you want them to be joined. They should meet at a 90-degree angle. You can then use a combination square to guarantee that the pieces are angled correctly. Once set up, use your hands or a clamp to hold the sections together. Always do a dry run first, making sure the pieces fit before applying any glue. It helps to assemble the object together with adhesive tape. Then the adhesive can be placed accurately without juggling the parts. 8. **Position the applicator bottle and apply glue.** Turn the bottle upside down and place the needle above the edge where the two pieces of acrylic meet. Squeeze the bottle with mild pressure as you move along the joined edges. You want to pull the bottle towards you. The acrylic cement should run in between the joined edges and fill in any seams or spaces as you move it along. Try to lightly squeeze the bottle and move it without stopping, this will ensure you don't over-glue the acrylic. If you are gluing for a box corner joint, apply the acrylic cement to the inside edge of the sheeting. However, if you are gluing for flat joints, apply the cement to both sides of the sheeting. Do not allow the acrylic cement to touch any piece of the acrylic you do not want to be glued. Acrylic cement will permanently damage any surface it touches. If you do drip acrylic cement onto the acrylic, allow the cement to evaporate. Do not wipe it off. 9. **Allow the acrylic cement to set.** Most acrylic cement will take around 10-15 minutes to set initially. During this time you can use your hands or a clamp to hold the edges together. Once they are secure, they should take 24-48 hours to cure to full-strength. If the pieces have been adhered well, the dried acrylic cement will be clear. Before this time, the acrylic should appear as a cloudy white. 10. **Trim the acrylic.** If there are any excess or overlapping pieces of acrylic, you can cut these off with a router (a power tool with a shaped cutter). However, be careful of heat generation, which could melt the acrylic. You should also make sure the acrylic is properly set before you try to manipulate it in any way.

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How to Clean a Trombone

Trombone maintenance is a practice which should be a part of every trombonist’s daily playing routine. Keeping a clean instrument not only serves to maintain the value of your investment, but it also helps keep your slide and valve movements easy and smooth, allowing for more maneuverability with the instrument and better sound quality. Here are a few steps to follow when performing general maintenance on your trombone. 1. **Fill a bathtub with lukewarm water.** . It helps to place a dampened towel or cloth at the bottom of the bathtub to avoid dents or scratches. Hot water can actually damage the lacquer. Lukewarm water will be just fine. 2. **Disassemble the trombone into its two main parts, the slide and the bell section.** Next, take the outer slide off the inner slide. You should now have three parts. Then remove the tuning slide (or both if you have a Bb/F trigger trombone). Now you should have four (or five) parts in the water. Include the mouthpiece and you will have five (or six.) 3. **Place all the parts in the bathtub of lukewarm water and let them soak.** *Gently handle the parts at all times. 4. **Once the parts have soaked for five to ten minutes, stand the bell section up away from the other parts and gently rub the bell with the cotton rags on the outside and as much as you can on the inside.** Rinse the bell with cold water. Use the beach towel and dry the bell as much as possible. Set it aside in a safe place where it will not be knocked over and let it finish by air drying. 5. **Take the outer slide and run the snake back and forth through inside of it.** Make sure the outer slide is filled with water. Do this for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side of the slide. Often junk will come out into the water. That's good! Keep working at it for at least a minute on each side. Using a clean stream of cold water, rinse the inside and outside of the outer slide. Dry with a beach towel and let it air dry with the bell. 6. **Pick up the inner slide and using a clean cotton rag, wipe it firmly but gently up and down the outside.** Next, take the snake and clean the inside of the inner slide as before with the outer slide. Rinse and dry and place it with the other parts. 7. **Use the snake to clean the inside of the tuning slide.** Often the tuning slide grease will eventually gum on the part of the tuning slide that fits into the bell section. To clean this, use a penetrating oil like WD-40. Spray the tuning slide with the penetrating oil and let it sit for a few minutes, before wiping away as much "gunk" as possible. If the horn has not been cleaned in a while, you may have to repeat this process several times. 8. **Take the mouthpiece brush and push it back and forth into the shank (the part that fits into the trombone) of the mouthpiece.** This will only take about 30 seconds or so. Rub the mouthpiece with a cotton rag, then dry it. If the mouthpiece gets gunk in the cup or shank, it will greatly disrupt the airflow when playing, so do not neglect your mouthpiece. 9. **Finishing off.** After the horn has completely "air dried" you will have a nice clean trombone. You will have to reapply a slide lubricant to the slide, then apply tuning slide grease to the tuning slides. Use both sparingly -- a little goes a long way. Reinsert the tuning slide(s) into the bell section. Wipe any extra grease away with a clean cloth or cotton rag. Now your set to clean your trombone and remember clean well and clean often. 10. **Disassemble the trombone by unscrewing the bell portion from the slide and removing the mouthpiece.** 11. **Remove the outer slide and wipe off any excess grease, oil or moisture from the inner slides with a soft rag.** Be careful not to bend or dent either slide in the process. Be gentle! 12. **Use a cleaning rod or a “snake” (a flexible rubber coated metal wire with a small brush on both ends), clean out any excess grease, oil or moisture from the insides of the outer and inner slides.** If using a cleaning rod, be careful not to jam the rod into the bottom of the slide. If you are rough, you risk denting the crook at the end of the slide. 13. **Remove the main tuning slide from the bell portion and clean the inside with a “snake”.** 14. **Do the same for F attachment tuning slide if your trombone has the F attachment.** 15. **If absolutely necessary, disassemble the rotary valve for the F attachment, rinse off each piece and wipe off excess oil or grease.** However, this stage of the cleaning should really be handled by a trained instrument technician, as any sort of scratch or dent in the valve will adversely affect the playability of the horn. 16. **Rinse all trombone components with warm water (NOT HOT, see warnings) in a shower or bath.** Special attention should be given to the rotary valve, water key (or spit valve), and the outer and inner slides. 17. **Dry off all components with a soft rag, making sure that no large pockets of water remain in any of the tubing or in the rotary valve.** 18. **Apply necessary grease to the tuning slides and attach them to the bell portion of the instrument.** 19. **Reassemble the rotary valve and apply necessary oils.** Most of the oil should be applied by dripping it in through the pipe where the bell section and playing slide meet, though a few drops may be applied to the rotary valve directly. 20. **Reassemble inner slide and outer slide and attach it to the bell section of the trombone.** 21. **Apply necessary slide grease or oils to the inner slide.** 22. **Wipe down the entire outside of the trombone using a soft rag.**

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How to Look Entirely Emotionless

It can be a big advantage to be able to appear completely emotionless. Controlling your emotions can help you gain control of negotiations, avoid confrontations and even seem cool. While it may seem like it is easy enough to hide your feelings, it takes a lot of practice to look entirely emotionless. You have to learn to fully control your expressions, your movements, and your words all at the same time. 1. **Relax your eyes and mouth.** The eyes and mouth can express a multitude of emotions. It is important to keep control over them at all times. The best way to do this is by working on your non-expression. A blank face is a look people use to keep others at a distance. You can see this face displayed in almost any crowded elevator. It's like a do not disturb sign for your face. Take a moment to consciously relax the muscles in your face. You'd be surprised how tensed-up they can become even if you aren't experiencing any emotions. Poker players make an art form of the expressionless poker face. Study how poker players play without any indication of excitement or nervousness. Do not avoid eye contact. Avoiding eye contact can be perceived as an emotional reaction. Just look at the person the same way you would look at a chair or a wall. 2. **Watch your movements.** Subtle gestures can be very expressive, even if we are not always consciously aware of them. This is usually the most difficult part of looking emotionless, and no matter how hard you try there is still going to be some small gesture that tells something about how you feel. Avoid any fidgeting, such as cracking your knuckles or biting your fingernails. Do not show any hints that you are tired by rubbing your eyes or yawning. Tapping your feet can make you seem nervous. Looking down too much can make you seem shy or sad. While most people can keep a poker face, even poker players' hands betray them and it is the biggest tell picked up by watchful eyes. Hesitant hand and arm movements can show your fear, uncertainty, anxiety or excitement. Try making only fluid and deliberate movements. Don't move unless you need to. Then, move decisively and confidently. 3. **Maintain emotionless posture.** Avoid showing any emotion with the way you stand or sit. Don't cross your arms. This can be seen as defensive. Keep your arms relaxed and at your sides. Sit back in your seat. A relaxed, unconcerned posture is the best way to show how unemotionally involved you are. It also helps put more distance between you and anyone you are with. Leaning forward can make you seem eager or excited. 4. **Speak logically.** Channel your inner Spock and try to have conversations that express absolutely nothing about how you are feeling. For example, if you're out to dinner and someone asks how your burger is, tell them it is medium rare and a little greasy. Do not say it is delicious or gross, even if it is. Just state the facts. If you are asked a question about how you're feeling or something that can't be answered with facts, your best bet is to avoid the question by asking a question back. You can also try giving a vague or ambiguous response. 5. **Keep an even tone.** Watch the pace and pitch of your words. Raising your pitch can be an indication of excitement or agitation. Dropping your pitch and speaking more slowly can seem like you're uncertain or upset. Try to speak as though you are reading an instruction manual out loud. Dull, informative and without originality will go a long way to keeping your conversations low-key. 6. **Don't use emotional words.** Many words express emotions. Some are very obvious, while others express more subtle emotions. While it's obvious you don't want to say you're sad or happy, you also should not say you're determined, calm or indecisive. These words express just as much of your emotional state. Avoid using adjectives to describe words that will reveal your feelings. Don't say a movie was exciting or romantic. Instead, describe the film as action-packed or dramatic. 7. **Don't hang out with emotional people too much.** People that are very emotional can draw you into their drama and make it difficult to be totally emotionless. You don't need to cut anyone out of your life completely, but you may want to limit your contact with your more emotional friends. If you are out and run into an emotional friend of yours, always have an excuse ready to help you slip away without being rude. Simply tell them you have to go return some videos or something along those lines. 8. **Learn to accept things.** A big part of looking emotionless is to not let anything bother you. Once you come to realize that you didn't have the power to change most of the things anyway, they might not bother you so much. If you can give up trying to control things that happen, you will have an easier time accepting it when things don't go as expected. 9. **Desensitize yourself.** Watching violent television shows or movies is the way most people desensitize themselves. While this is often debated as being harmful, evidence shows that watching violent shows can make viewers apathetic to human pain and suffering. If you are hoping to avoid being affected by those kinds of emotions, try watching more television. 10. **Look at money often.** It may sound silly but looking at money tends to make people act more businesslike. Scientists have found evidence that looking at money makes us less likely to approve of outward displays of emotion or to use emotional words to express our thoughts. 11. **Find an outlet for your emotions.** No matter how good you get at keeping everything inside, sometimes you will need to release all the emotions. Writing or playing music is a good way to get out emotional pressures, while other people may find getting out their frustrations by kickboxing works better. It doesn't matter what activity you choose as long as you can release any anxiety you have on your own terms instead of having a sudden meltdown in front of everyone.

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How to Disassemble a Pool Table

Disassembling a pool table takes the right tools and a fair amount of muscle. A standard home pool table has a wood frame, heavy slate bed, and leather drop pockets. Coin-operated tables, tables with ball return mechanisms, and tables with a fiberboard surface are much harder to take apart. 1. **Detach the pockets from the table.** Remove the pocket liners if present. Remove the screws or staples that attach the pocket straps to the table. If you don't have a staple remover, pry the staples out with a flathead screwdriver. Leave the pockets in place for now. This is usually easier from under the table. Wear goggles to protect against falling staples. 2. **Remove the rail bolts underneath each rail.** There are usually three or four bolts under each rail. Remove them with a socket wrench. Old pool tables may have special bolts with two holes. To remove these, order a forked tool from a pool table supply store. 3. **Remove the rails and pockets.** Pull apart any rail sections that detach easily and set them aside. If two rails are attached at a corner, flip them over onto the table with another person's help, then pull apart the two sections. Set aside the pockets as well. Set the rails down carefully when flipping them, and take care to avoid bashing the side pockets. 4. **Detach the felt from the slate bed.** The felt is usually either glued down or stapled to the wood backing of the slate. If it is stapled, remove each staple carefully to avoid tears. If glued, pull the edge of the felt backward very gently (never up or forward), working your way around the table. Once you've removed the felt, fold it carefully. To avoid wrinkles and creases, do not press the fold lines. If the felt is wearing out, consider tearing it off and installing new felt during reassembly. 5. **Remove the slate screws with a drill.** These screws are usually at the corners of the table, but could be along the sides and center beam as well. If you find beeswax or putty over the screws, carefully scrape it off with a screwdriver to reveal the screw head without scratching the slate. 6. **Lift each slate and place to the side.** Most tables have a playing surface made from three slate slabs, and each one can weigh 250 lbs (110 kg). Get a couple friends to help out and move them as carefully as possible. A scratch or chip in one slate could ruin the table, requiring an expensive replacement for all three slates. One-piece slates can weigh up to 800 lbs (360 kg). Enlist several strong people to help you move these. 7. **Disassemble the frame.** Flip the table over and unbolt the legs. Take apart the final lightweight pieces, and you're ready to go. 8. **Transport the slate carefully.** The most difficult part to transport is the slate tabletop, which is both heavy and fragile. Recruit several strong people to load the slate onto a furniture dolly, on its side. Fasten the slate in place tightly with a furniture strap. If transporting by truck, fasten the strap around the slate and onto the truck slats. If at all possible, load it into the truck using a liftgate. If you put the pool table in storage, choose a climate controlled storage unit, or a room with minimal variation in temperature and humidity. Lay the slate onto plastic sheeting, and tape more plastic sheeting over it. Store the carefully folded felt in a sealed plastic bag, and all other components in moving blankets or other protective materials. 9. **Remove only the rails and legs from a coin-operated table.** Remove the rail bolts with a socket wrench and detach them from the table. If two lengths of rail are connected at a corner, you may need to flip them over before you detach them gently. Carefully flip the table over and unbolt the legs. Do not attempt to disassemble the rest of the table without professional help, since removing the coin-operated mechanism can make reassembly difficult or impossible. Some Valley Dynamo coin-operated tables have a metal trim covering the rail bolts. Remove the screws holding the trim in place, slide the trim toward the corner, then lift them up and out. 10. **Use caution with ball return systems.** Most tables with a ball return system are also coin-operated, but some tables from the 1970s or '80s have a simpler mechanism. In some models, removing the mechanism without damaging the table is difficult. Unless you have a manual for your model, leave the ball return mechanism attached during transport. You can usually disassemble the rest of the table as described in the standard slate table instructions. 11. **Transport non-slate tables in one piece.** If your pool table surface is made from fiberboard (MDF), wood, or any other non-slate material, it is most likely a low-cost "disposable" table. These are not usually meant to be disassembled, not even by a professional. Transport the table in one piece. Some of these tables have folding legs to make transport easier.

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How to Use a Konjac Sponge

Konjac sponges are one of the latest crazes in natural skincare, and for good reason. The sponges are made from a porous root vegetable of the same name, and are gentler than regular scrubbers. This makes them perfect for exfoliating, removing caked-on makeup, or simply scrubbing up. Using a Konjac sponge is as easy as soaking it in warm water, squeezing out the excess moisture, and lightly massaging your face or body. 1. **Remove the Konjac sponge from its airtight packaging.** Konjac sponges are most often sold in sealed plastic bags. Packaging them this way helps to ensure that they’re not exposed to outside moisture prior to use. To open your new sponge, pull apart the plastic at one end of the bag. Check to make sure there are no visible defects or signs of damage. Don’t use the sponge if the packaging it came in is already unsealed. 2. **Soak the sponge in warm water for 10-15 minutes.** A preliminary soak is necessary to soften the hard, dry fibers prior to cleansing. As the sponge soaks, it will begin to grow in size. Once it stops expanding, it will be ready to use. Your Konjac sponge may need to soak for as long as 20 minutes to fully soften if it’s your first time using it. Look for your sponge to swell up to 1½ times its original size when wet. 3. **Squeeze out the excess water.** Remove the sponge from the water and press it firmly between the palms of your hands. For best results, it should be nice and moist, but not sopping wet. Try not to be too rough with your Konjac sponge. Wringing, twisting, or stretching it could damage the natural plant fibers. 4. **Dampen your skin with warm water.** The warmth of the water will help open up your pores, making the sponge more effective at clearing away dirt, debris, and oil. For this reason, it can be especially convenient to use your Konjac sponge during or just after a hot shower. Konjac sponges are delicate enough to use for both facial and full-body cleansing. 5. **Massage your skin using a gentle circular motion.** Start at the center of the desired area and radiate outward, making the circle larger with each pass. The tiny pores on the surface of the sponge will work together to clean and exfoliate, so there’s no need to press down too hard. You should be able to feel a noticeable difference in your skin immediately after use. Avoid scrubbing forcefully around your eyes, and on sensitive areas like acne spots or dry, irritated patches of skin. 6. **Add a few drops of your favorite cleanser for a deeper clean.** If you like, you can squeeze a small amount of soap, moisturizer, or exfoliating face wash directly onto the sponge and work it in until it forms a rich lather. Konjac is super absorbent, so it will hold and disperse skincare products as well as any regular sponge to give your skin that freshly-cleaned feeling. Due to its small size, the sponge may lose most of its lather after a few minutes of continuous scrubbing. You may need to add more cleanser if you’re going over larger areas, like your chest, back, or legs. Talk to your dermatologist before using a Konjac sponge to apply retinoids or other medicated products. 7. **Use your Konjac sponge as a makeup remover.** With just a dab of penetrating cleanser, a Konjac sponge can easily wipe away leftover foundation, blush, or eyeshadow. Just be sure there’s no makeup left behind on the sponge once your face is bare. It may be necessary to use a traditional makeup remover to weaken the hold of cosmetics with more staying power, like mascara and lip and eyeliner. 8. **Rinse your Konjac sponge thoroughly after each use.** Hold the sponge under a stream of warm running water and squeeze it repeatedly to flush out dirt, oil, and traces of cleanser. Continue rinsing and squeezing until the water runs clear. Then, press out any remaining moisture by hand. Avoid washing your Konjac sponge with boiling water. High temperatures could lead to shrinking or damage. Leaving your sponge saturated with water or skincare products will make it a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. 9. **Hang your Konjac sponge in a well-ventilated area to dry between uses.** When stored properly, any lingering moisture should evaporate overnight. Your sponge will then re-harden and be ready for the next soak. Because of the high amount of humidity in the air, the bathroom where you take your daily shower may not be the best place to keep your Konjac sponge. 10. **Store your sponge in an airtight container in the refrigerator.** If you don’t have a suitable place to hang up your used sponge, stick it in a lidded Tupperware container or plastic bag and stash it in the fridge. The cool, dry air will slow the growth of mold and bacteria in the spaces inside the tightly-knit fibers. It’s normal for the sponge to still be a little damp when you first take it out of the refrigerator. Keeping your Konjac sponge in the refrigerator as opposed to hanging it up may cause it to wear out faster. 11. **Replace your Konjac sponge every 4-6 weeks.** After a while, your sponge will lose its original texture and begin to disintegrate. When this happens, it’s time to pick up a new one. Getting in the habit of switching out your sponges as soon as they begin to deteriorate will ensure that your skin stays clear, healthy, and radiant. Your Konjac sponge may enjoy a longer lifespan if you don’t use it every single day. When it comes time to dispose of your sponge, you could simply toss it in the trash, or you could add it to a potted plant or compost heap. That’s how natural it is!

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How to Sew a Patch on a Uniform

Whether for the military, public service, scout troop, etc., many people wear uniforms with patches. Sometimes you will need to sew a new patch on your uniform when you get promoted or earn a new badge. Sewing patches on a uniform can be done either by hand or with a machine and is a simple, straightforward process. 1. **Wash, dry, and iron your uniform before you begin.** If it’s a new uniform, make sure to wash and dry once before sewing on the patch, otherwise, the fabric will bunch unevenly under the patch after the first wash and dry cycle. Many uniforms are made out of cotton. Cotton will usually shrink somewhat after the first wash. If you sew a patch onto your uniform before it has been washed then the fabric under the patch will shrink and pull your patch, bunching it. It is also a good idea to iron the area where the patch is to be placed before starting to sew. Ironing the area will remove any wrinkles. If you sew your patch over wrinkles then your uniform will be permanently wrinkled. 2. **Get a sewing needle and thread.** Choose a thread that is either the color of the uniform or the color of the edge of the patch. If you can’t find a thread that’s the same color as either, look for a darker color that’s as close as possible. Darker rather than lighter thread will blend better and not show up as blatantly. You can also get a clear thread to make it less visible. 3. **Position the patch in the correct placement.** Some patches such as those on military uniforms need to be placed in a specific area. For example, if you need to sew on an American flag patch you need to place it on the shoulder/bicep area of the sleeve. The flag also needs to be placed so it’s facing the right direction. The American flag should always be positioned so that when the wearer is moving forward, it gives the flag the effect of waving in the wind, moving forward. Check with your superiors to make sure you are placing patches in the correct places. 4. **Put on the uniform with the patch held by a safety pin.** This is to check if it is positioned correctly. it can help to have someone else confirm this with you. Be careful when wearing your uniform with pins holding the patch. Carefully put the uniform on so the pins don’t poke you. The reason you may want to check how it fits is that when wearing your uniform your body will fill out the garment. This could affect how the patch looks. 5. **Secure your patch in place for sewing.** Use a safety pin or straight pin to hold the patch in place. Or, alternatively, use adhesive fabric tape to iron the patch on. Even if you don’t have an iron-on patch, you might want to get some adhesive ironing tape. The adhesive tape is usually better than pins because it sticks the patch in place while you sew. You won’t have to worry about sewing around pins and poking yourself. Cut and place the tape. Place the patch on the tape and iron. If you don’t iron the patch, you’ll have to pin the patch in place. 6. **Cut a piece of thread.** If you're not very familiar with sewing, you may want to start with a piece of thread no longer than 18 inches (45cm). Longer pieces tend to get tangled and are harder to work with than shorter ones. Alternatively, you can try not cutting the thread and leaving it on the spool. This will help prevent the thread from getting tangled as well. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about running out of thread and re-threading your needle. 7. **Thread the needle and tie a knot** Threading the needle can be difficult. If you have a needle threading tool, use it to save time. If you don’t have a threading tool, it can help to twist and wet the thread in your mouth. The saliva will serve as a temporary adhesive to hold the tiny strands of thread together. This allows you to better thread the eye of the needle. 8. **Begin threading the needle through your fabric and the patch.** Start on the inside of your garment and poke the needle out, coming up through the patch. You’ll want to start on the inside of your fabric, so the knot you create to hold the thread in place isn’t showing on the outside. Start inside and poke the needle out. If the patch is circular, try an overcast stitch so that it has a guide when it is sewn. This will help you sew it with more precision. 9. **Sew with a straight stitch pattern** Run the needle back through the uniform about 1/4” (6mm) from where you brought it out. For patches, a straight stitch is not only the easiest but the quickest way to sew the patch on. You don’t need a complicated stitching pattern, especially if you ironed on your patch. A straight stitch will also be the least visible. 10. **Continue stitching the patch.** Continue your straight stitch until you’ve gone all the way around your patch. You should end where you started. When hand sewing a patch onto a uniform it’s important to take your time and do your best to make sure that your weaves and the length of your stitches are as even to one another as possible. Keeping an even pattern will make your patch look much better. 11. **Knot your thread.** When you have sewn all the way around the edge of the patch, loop the thread and pull the needle through to tie off your knot. To complete sewing your patch, thread your needle through so that you create a small loop on the inside of your uniform. Bring the needle through the loop and pull the thread tight. This will create a tight knot. 12. **Cut the ends of the thread.** Cut any loose threads that are hanging beyond the knot. You should leave a little thread about 1/2” (1cm) long. Leaving just a bit ensures that you don’t accidentally cut the knots. Tuck the thread under the patch. 13. **Iron your garment.** Before sewing, you will want to iron your uniform to smooth out any wrinkles. Ironing your garment before sewing will prevent you from sewing over any wrinkles and leaving permanent wrinkles in your clothes. 14. **Place and arrange the patch where you want it.** It’s smart to place your patch on your garment or uniform and make sure it’s in the correct spot before sewing. If you sew your patch onto your uniform and realize you have put it in the wrong place you’ll have to remove the patch and start all over again. 15. **Iron on your patch.** Even if you don’t have an iron-on patch, you might want to get some adhesive ironing tape. Cut and place the tape. Place the patch on the tape and iron. If you don’t iron the patch, you’ll have to pin the patch in place. Pinning your patch will create more work for you when using your machine. 16. **Place the garment on your sewing machine.** Set up your machine so that your needle length is shorter for the patch. Set the machine to a straight stitch. And place your presser foot in the up position. different sewing machines will have different features and capabilities. It’s best to refer to your manual to get the best results. Make sure that you are only sewing the patch onto one piece of fabric. If you have to sew your patch onto a sleeve this can be tricky. Pull back the other side of the sleeve without the patch so you don’t sew your sleeve shut. 17. **Thread your machine.** Place the thread on the bobbin. Your manual will have instructions on how to correctly do this. In general, bring your thread through your bobbin which is on the spindle. With the spindle so that it winds the thread around the bobbin. Press the foot peddle to fill the bobbin. Once the bobbin is filled you’ll have to place the bobbin in the correct location depending on your machine. Then run the thread through the proper parts of your machine to attach it to the needle. Each machine has a different process for this. Refer to your manual. Make sure you have the correct color thread in place. You should either use thread that’s the color of the patch or clear thread. 18. **Put the machine on a low-speed setting to start.** Your sewing machine will most likely have different speed settings. The speed dictates how quickly the needle moves. You’ll want to keep it low so that you have good control when sewing. 19. **Start sewing.** Press down on your foot pedal to engage the needle and slowly move your garment until you’ve completed sewing the patch. To rotate the garment and patch, move both as one. Make sure that the foot of the sewing machine is up, but the needle is in place. When you need to rotate, you need to lift the foot up so that you can move the garment. But keep the needle in place so that you get a consistent pattern. Once you’ve made it all the way around your patch, seal the stitch. Take your scissors and cut away any loose threads. You should leave a little bit of thread about 1/2” (1cm) long. Leaving just a bit ensures that you don’t accidentally cut the knots. 20. **Remove any patches that need to be replaced with a seam ripper.** If you need to replace a patch because you’ve been promoted you’ll have to first take a seam ripper and pluck out the thread. Then remove the patch. Pop every stitch out around your patch. Remove any loose thread with the tweezer end of your seam ripper. Don’t use a razor as you may cut yourself or your garment. 21. **Iron your garment.** You’ll need to iron your sleeve or garment so that there are no wrinkles. Ironing can also help to smooth out any leftover marks and punctures from a previous patch. Ironing your garment before sewing will prevent you from sewing over any wrinkles and, therefore, leaving permanent wrinkles in your clothes. 22. **Position the patch in the correct place.** Make sure your patch is placed correctly before sewing or gluing the patch to the sleeve. If you are sewing a patch on a military uniform you will have instructions on the specific location of the patch. For example, a Navy striped patch must end 2 inches (51 mm) above the cuff on the sleeve. Refer to any instructions you were given to correctly place patches. You can either pin the patch on or use glue tape to iron your patch in place. Ironing the patch on isn’t a permanent solution. It is only to hold the patch in place while you sew. The lack of pins will allow you to sew the patch on without running into any pins. If you ironed the patch on, let it cool before sewing. 23. **Sew your patch onto your uniform.** You can do this either using a sewing machine or hand stitching. Use a thread that’s the appropriate color. Match the color of the patch's edges or use clear thread. If using a machine, make sure you pull the part of the sleeve back that isn’t attached to your patch. 24. **Go slowly.** Take your time so that you get it right and don’t have to start over. Depending on where your patch is, sewing may be more difficult. If the patch is higher on the arm, you can use your neck opening to separate the layers of fabric. If it’s lower near the cuff, you will have to pay attention to make sure you aren’t sewing through both sides of the sleeves. Set your machine on a slow setting. If you need to rotate your uniform and patch, raise the foot with the needle still in place. Rotate your garment, then lower the foot. If hand sewing, take your time so that you can create even spaces between each pass and sew in a straight line. Use a straight stitch on patches. 25. **Seal your thread with a knot or on the machine.** Once you’ve made it all the way around the patch, end the stitch with a hand knot or by back-tracking on the machine. Take your scissors and cut away any loose threads. You should leave a little thread about 1/2” (1cm) long. Leaving just a bit ensures that you don’t accidentally cut the knots.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Sew-a-Patch-on-a-Uniform", "language": "en"}

How to Treat a Backache

Back pain is a serious problem globally, and can make doing every day tasks extremely difficult. There are many causes of back pain, but most cases are mechanical in nature, or not caused by serious underlying conditions. Understanding the cause and severity of a backache is crucial because it determines the treatment you should undertake. 1. **Give it time.** Most achy backs caused by overwork or minor accidents (such as slip and falls) resolve on their own with a few days or so. As such, if the pain isn't severe, have some patience and the likelihood of your backache going away is actually pretty good with or without any kind of treatment. Severe pain combined with numbness or tingling in the legs is often a sign of a serious back injury. It's important to seek professional help if your back pain also involves trouble urinating, fever or unintentional weight loss. 2. **Schedule an appointment with your doctor.** If you develop back pain that won't go away after a few days of taking it easy, then schedule an appointment with your family physician. Your doctor will examine your back (spine) and ask questions about your family history, diet and lifestyle, and maybe even take X-rays or send you for a blood test (to rule out rheumatoid arthritis or a spinal infection). However, your family doctor is not a musculoskeletal or spinal specialist, so you may need a referral to another doctor with more specialized training. Your family doctor may recommend over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, or analgesics (pain killers) such as acetaminophen to help you cope with your backache. 3. **Get a referral to a specialist.** Consider seeing a specialist if your backache is not relieved by rest and medications. Mechanical low back pain is not considered a serious medical condition, although it can be very painful and debilitating, causing you to miss work or athletic activities. Typical causes include muscle strains, spinal joint sprains, spinal nerve irritation and spinal disc degeneration. However, medical specialists such as an orthopedist, neurologist or rheumatologist may be needed to rule out the most serious causes such as infection (osteomyelitis), cancer, osteoporosis, spinal fracture, herniated disc, kidney disease or rheumatoid arthritis. X-rays, bone scans, MRI, CT scan and ultrasound are modalities that specialists may use to help diagnose your backache. The low back, or lumbar region, is more susceptible to injury and pain because it supports the weight of the upper body. 4. **Understand the cause of your backache.** Make sure you get the doctor to clearly explain the diagnosis, especially the cause (if possible), and provide you with various treatment options for your condition. Only the most serious causes of back pain require surgical intervention, which is quite rare. Sometimes mild backaches resolve on their own within a few days, but for more debilitating back pain, treatment is recommended because it will likely reduce the duration of the pain and lower the risk of a recurrent (chronic) problem. Pain from mechanical back pain can be severe, but it doesn't involve high fevers, rapid weight loss, bladder / bowel problems or loss of leg function, which are all signs of something more serious. Common causes of backache include poor posture, improper lifting technique, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and mild trauma from athletic activities. 5. **Take an Epsom salt bath.** Muscle strains (or pulls) are the most common cause of backaches. The para-spinal muscles of the lower back are thick and powerful, but they become susceptible to injury when they get chilled, dehydrated or overworked. Soaking your entire back and legs in a warm Epsom salt bath can significantly reduce pain, swelling and muscle tension. The magnesium in the salt helps the muscle fibers relax and heal, which sometimes provides surprisingly quick pain relief. Make sure the salt bath isn't too hot because otherwise it will pull water from your body, dehydrate your muscles and increase the risk of further damage. Backaches from muscle strains are usually described as dull and achy in nature and are not particularly debilitating. Some range of motion is restricted, but walking, sitting and sleeping are not usually impaired. 6. **See a massage therapist.** A strained muscle occurs when individual muscle fibers are taken beyond their tensile limits and subsequently tear, which leads to pain, inflammation and some degree of guarding (muscle spasm in attempts to prevent further damage). A deep tissue massage is helpful for mild-to-moderate strains because it reduces muscle spasm, combats inflammation and promotes relaxation. Start with a 30 minute massage, focusing on your low back and hips. Allow the therapist to go as deep as you can tolerate without wincing. Always drink lots of water immediately following a massage in order to flush inflammatory by-products, lactic acid and toxins from your body. Failure to do so might cause a headache or mild nausea. As an alternative to massage therapy, position a tennis ball underneath your body, near your backache. Roll on the ball slowly until the pain subsides. 7. **Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about exercise.** A muscle strain will improve faster if you begin gentle stretching and strengthening exercises as early as possible. Make sure you always perform exercises within a pain-free range of motion. If you have an acute muscle strain (an injury that occurred recently), beginning a gentle aerobic exercise program such as walking will be beneficial. If you feel pain at any time during your exercise, stop and consult your physician. 8. **Take muscle relaxants.** Muscle relaxant medication (such as cyclobenzaprine) can certainly ease the discomfort of mild-to-moderate backache that's caused by injured muscles, but they tend to be hard on the stomach, kidneys and liver, so they should be viewed as short-term help at best. Keep in mind that muscle relaxants can make other muscles in your body feel strange because they circulate everywhere through the bloodstream, not just the back. Side effects of muscle relaxant use include drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation and confusion. An alternative to muscles relaxants are anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. 9. **Reduce your activity level.** The first step is rest — stop all exacerbating activity in order to address your injury, at least for a few days or so. More rest (a few weeks) may be needed depending on the severity of your back injury. For a backache, laying on your back with your knees bent and legs slightly elevated is a good idea because it can take the pressure off the low back joints and provide some pain relief. Laying on your back for hours at a time is not a good idea, either. Get up at least once an hour to move around even a little bit, and try going for a leisurely walk every day. Avoid excessive sitting (more than 30 minutes at a time) because it puts more pressure on the low back joints and may further irritate them. 10. **Apply ice.** Cold therapy (ice wrapped in a thin towel or frozen gel packs) should be applied to the injury as soon as possible in order to stop reduce inflammation. Ice should be applied for 10 – 15 minutes every hour, then reduce the frequency as the pain and swelling subside. Compressing the ice against your back will help to further combat the inflammation. Backaches from joint sprains are usually described as sharp and shooting in nature and they tend to be fairly debilitating. Most range of motion in the affected area is lost, and walking, sitting and sleeping are noticeably impaired. People with spinal joint sprains usually walk hunched over and to the side because the muscles surrounding the affected joints quickly spasm to "guard" the injury. 11. **See a chiropractor or osteopath.** Chiropractors and osteopaths are spinal specialists that focus on establishing normal motion and function of the small spinal joints that connect the vertebrae, called spinal facet joints. Manual joint manipulation, also called an adjustment, can be used to unjam or reposition facet joints that are slightly misaligned, which triggers inflammation and sharp pain, particularly with movement. You can often hear a "popping" sound with a spinal adjustment, similar in concept to when you extend your knuckles. Traction techniques or stretching of your spine may also help. Although a single spinal adjustment can sometimes completely relieve your back sprain, more than likely it will take three to five treatments to notice significant results. If uneven leg lengths or flat feet is deemed to be the primary cause of your backache, then your doctor or chiropractor may recommend orthotics, which are custom made shoe inserts that support the arches, promote better biomechanics when running or walking, and help alleviate back pain. 12. **Get a facet joint injection.** A facet joint injection involves real-time fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance of a needle through the back muscles and into the inflamed or irritated spinal joint, followed by a release of an anesthetic and corticosteroid mixture, which quickly relieves both pain and inflammation at the site. Facet joint injections take 20 – 30 minutes to do and the results can last from a few weeks to a few months. Facet joint injections are limited to three within a six-month time frame. The pain relief benefits from facet joint injections typically begin on the second or third day post treatment. Until that time frame, your backache may get a little worse. 13. **Seek out physiotherapy.** If your backache is recurring (chronic) and caused by weak spinal muscles, poor posture or degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, then you need to consider some form of rehabilitation. A physical therapist can show you specific and tailored stretches and strengthening exercises for your back, hips and abdominals (which can all be implicated with chronic low back pain). Physiotherapy is usually required 2-3x per week for 4-8 weeks to positively impact chronic back problems. If need be, a physical therapist can treat your sore muscles with electrotherapy such as therapeutic ultrasound, electronic muscle stimulation or microcurrent. Good strengthening exercises for your back include swimming, rowing and back extensions, but make sure your injury is resolved first. 14. **Try acupuncture.** Acupuncture involves sticking very thin needles into specific energy points within the skin / muscle in efforts to reduce pain and inflammation. Acupuncture can be effective for many different causes of backache, especially if it's done when the symptoms first occur. Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture works by releasing a variety of substances including endorphins and serotonin, which act to reduce pain. It's also claimed that acupuncture stimulates the flow of energy, referred to as chi. Acupuncture is practiced by a variety of health professionals including some physicians, chiropractors, naturopaths, physical therapists and massage therapists. 15. **Try yoga and meditation.** Yoga and meditation are other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine.Yoga may be an effective strategy for alleviating back pain by making people more aware of how they move their bodies. It also helps to stretch (elongate) muscles, improves flexibility and often has a calming or relaxing effect on people. Meditation often goes hand-in-hand with yoga and acts to reduce emotional and physical stress, which are contributors to chronic back pain. Mindful meditation has been shown to be effective in reducing pain. One study found that 3 sessions over 3 days for 20 minutes each was able to significantly reduce pain. In addition, pain was reduced after meditation, meaning the results lasted long after meditation was finished. People that are depressed or suffer severe trauma are more likely to experience chronic aches and pains.

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How to Enjoy a Chinese Moon Festival

The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Harvest Moon festival, or the Zhongqiu Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar—or around September or October. It’s a day to celebrate family and tradition, so get together with your relatives, do some moon gazing, and enjoy a moon cake—or a few! 中秋快乐 (Happy Mid-Autumn Festival)! 1. **Buy or bake mooncakes, a traditional Moon Festival treat.** No Moon Festival is complete without mooncakes, which are small, rich pastries that you can buy from a Chinese bakery or make on your own, if you have time. They’re meant to be shared and gifted to family and friends, so have plenty! 2. **Make picture pastries for an additional sweet treat.** Picture pastries, also known as mooncake biscuits or “kung chai peng” in Cantonese, aren’t as well known as mooncakes but can still be a tasty dessert for the Moon Festival. They’re cookies made from the same dough that you used to form the outside of the mooncakes, and will need 1-2 days before they’re ready to eat. To make them: Make mooncake dough by combining flour and baking soda in a bowl, then making a small well in the center and stirring in golden syrup, oil, and baking soda solution. Knead the mix into a dough, then let it sit for 3 hours. Use cookie molds or cutters to make 10-20 cookies, then place them on a greased baking sheet. Bake them at 400 °F (204 °C) for 6 minutes. Remove the cookies, brush them with a beaten egg mixture, then bake them for another six minutes. Let them cool, then store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days so the golden syrup can soften the pastry. 3. **Plan a dinner of tasty and traditional dishes.** A Moon Festival dinner offers big portions of delicious, symbolic dishes for the whole family to enjoy. Think about how many people you’ll be inviting over and start to plan your meal accordingly. Many families also choose to eat out for Moon Festival to avoid the burden of making a meal—it’s up to you! like roast pork, a whole chicken, fish, vegetables, and rice. 4. **Set up an honor table to present your mooncakes, fruits, and tea.** An honor table is a small end table or even a bench that you’ll place near your dinner table. Use it to display your ritual offerings, including candles and incense, which you’ll burn to honor ancestors. You’ll also place your mooncakes, picture pastries tea service, and fruits on the honor table. 5. **Make lanterns to decorate and light up your home.** Moon Festival decorations don’t need to be over the top, but the one thing you can’t do without are lanterns. Moon Festival lanterns are bright, festive, and often shaped like animals or interesting geometric designs, but you can make your own simple rectangular lanterns. Creating lanterns as a family in the days beforehand is a great way to foster the spirit of togetherness that this holiday is all about. Making lanterns is an especially great activity for kids, who can design their own and carry it around on the night of the celebration! 6. **Cut balsa wood towels into smaller lengths.** Start with 3 square balsa wood dowels that are 36 by ⁄8 by ⁄8 inches (91.44 × 0.32 × 0.32 cm). Use scissors to cut them into smaller pieces as follows: 4 lengths of 10 in (25 cm) 8 lengths of 5 in (13 cm) 2 lengths of 7 in (18 cm). 7. **Tape the pieces into squares to form the base and top.** Use electrical tape to attach the 5 in (13 cm) pieces together, creating 2 squares. These will be the top and bottom of the lantern. To make the base more stable, tape your two 7 in (18 cm) strips of wood in a cross in one of the squares. Use double-sided tape to attach a tealight (either a candle or electric) at the intersection of the cross. 8. **Attach the long wood pieces to make the sides.** Tape the 10 in (25 cm) pieces vertically from each corner of the base to create the outer shell of the lantern. Then, tape on the top square. 9. **Decorate the outside with tissue paper.** Spread out a 20 in × 20 in (51 cm × 51 cm) sheet of tissue paper and use a brush to coat it in a thin layer of glue. Wrap it around the lantern frame, then create a wire handle so you can carry it or hang it around your house. If you want to decorate your lantern with Chinese characters or drawings, do so before you paint the glue on the tissue paper. 10. **Hang your lanterns around your house for a festive, traditional look.** Repeat this process to make at least 5-6 lanterns. Place them around your house and outside to light up the night with a soft glow. You can also let kids carry them around, but be careful if you used candles. You may want to use electric tealights to make a few kid-friendly lanterns, and use candles in the ones that you plan to hang up out of their reach. 11. **Learn about the history and traditions of the Moon Festival.** The Moon Festival is often seen as the second most important holiday on the Chinese calendar, second only to New Year. It’s a harvest festival that originates from moon worship, and is meant to celebrate the changing seasons and new-to-old cycles of life. 12. **Get together with your family for a meal and a casual celebration.** The Moon Festival is a time for family and togetherness, similar to an American Thanksgiving, and the best way to celebrate is by sharing a meal and catching up with family. This meal is traditionally made and eaten at home, but some families today choose to eat out to save on time and effort. Many people also choose to eat outside under the stars, taking advantage of the warm fall weather and using the opportunity to appreciate the moon. If you’re hosting, make sure to get in touch with your relatives a few weeks beforehand to invite them and confirm that they’re coming. Specify a time and whether you’d like them to bring any dishes. If you eat outside, you can set up a blanket on the grass and have a picnic-style dinner. Set up a bench or small, portable table as your honor table. If you’re away from your family during the Moon Festival, or if some of your loved ones are away, make sure to call or message to wish each other a happy Moon Festival. 13. **Serve tea** After dinner, serve your family tea and enjoy your dessert of mooncakes, picture pastries, and fruit. If you ate inside, take your tea and pastries outdoors and sit down together to look at the moon and enjoy each other’s company. Many families use this time together to reminisce about times past and talk about family members who have passed away or can’t be at the celebration. Hang your lanterns outside, too. They’ll give off a soft, pleasant glow while you talk. 14. **Honor ancestors by burning incense.** Family is at the center of the Moon Festival celebration, and ancestors take a place of special honor. To show your respect to ancestors and family members who have passed away, burn incense and bow 3 times in front of your honor table. 15. **Share family stories with children to help them appreciate tradition.** Families typically allow children to stay up late on the night of the Moon Festival. Include them in family conversations or read to them from books of Chinese poetry. You can also let them march around with their colorful lanterns. Make sure they’re old enough to carry the lanterns without hurting themselves or spilling the candle. You can also replace the tealight inside with an electric light that looks like a candle, often right down to its sputtering glow. 16. **Check for any Moon Festival celebrations in your area.** Chinese communities often hold special events to commemorate the Moon Festival, including fire dragon dances, lion dances, lantern exhibitions and carnivals. You can see if any events are being held near you, or even travel to larger celebrations in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and other countries where the holiday is observed. If you decide to make a trip, be sure to book your tickets and accommodations well in advance. Large cities known for their celebrations, including Beijing and Hong Kong, will often fill up quickly in the days beforehand. In many countries, the day after the Moon Festival is considered a holiday, with work and school closed. Keep this in mind if you’re traveling—you’ll be able to stay up later than usual, but some businesses may take the day off. If you live near a large city with a Chinatown neighborhood, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to catch some Moon Festival celebrations there. Ask around or do some research online to see.

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How to Choose a Career Path

Whether you’re finishing up your education and are ready to venture into the real world or have been working in a certain field for a while and want to try something new, deciding on a career path can seem overwhelming. However, with a little self-exploration and some research, you can easily choose a career that will leave you feeling fulfilled. 1. **Make a list of all your skills and strengths.** Take some time to really think through the things you are good at. Consider things like physical skills, practical tasks, and creative work. Perhaps you are a great artist, a whiz with numbers, an excellent salesperson, or an all-star soccer player. Alternatively, you might have a thorough knowledge of historical events, manage your time efficiently, have strong spacial reasoning skills, be a great public speaker, or have a natural knack for technology. List every skill and strength you can think of. If you’re struggling to determine your skills or strengths, ask your friends, family, and colleagues for their input. 2. **Explore your interests and passions.** Now, think of what you enjoy doing, which may not be the same things that you are good at, and add them to the list. For instance, you might enjoy spending time in nature, attending parties, studying other cultures, putting together model planes, hosting fundraisers, or traveling around the world. Or, you might like to read, listen to music, swim, conduct science experiments, play with animals, cook or bake, ride a motorcycle, volunteer, make craft projects, clean, go fishing, or create sculptures. In order to land a job you enjoy doing, choose something that you enjoy and are also good at. 3. **Figure out what you’d like to be known for when you retire.** Look ahead to the future and think about what you’d like your life’s work to be. It’s okay if you don’t know right away; spend some time thinking it over. Perhaps you want to build an empire, make a difference in children’s lives, create a new piece of technology, develop sustainable living practices, or bring joy to the elderly. Determining what you want to be known for will help you determine what career path to take. Think about how the job will affect you as you age. For instance, if the job requires intense physical labor, it may be difficult to sustain when you get older. 4. **Focus on your own aspirations, rather than societal expectations.** It’s common to feel pressure from your family members, friends, teachers, and society to follow a certain path. And while doing so might make them happy, it probably won’t make you happy. Let go of other people’s expectations of you and think about what you truly want to do. Choosing a career path should be a personal decision based on a thorough knowledge of your own strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. For instance, if your father expects you to take over the family litigation firm, but you’d rather be a high school teacher than a lawyer, follow your heart. Though he may be upset at first, seeing you do something you love will help him see that a career in litigation wasn’t the right choice for you. 5. **Prepare** There are dozens of career aptitude tests online that ask a series of questions formulated to find out what kind of work would suit you the best. These tests analyze your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and personality to help you narrow down your career choice. Do an Internet search for “career aptitude tests” and take several so you can compare the results. You may want to check out https://www.princetonreview.com/quiz/career-quiz or https://www.whatcareerisrightforme.com/career-aptitude-test.php. 6. **Think of fields of work broadly.** A field of work is far more than a single job—it is an area in which many jobs or trades are possible! Once you have an idea of what field you want to work in, consider all the options within that field. For instance, if you want to work in healthcare, you could be a nurse or a doctor, of course, but you could also schedule appointments for patients, work in medical billing, or manage a physician’s office. Or, if you study law, you may want to be a lawyer for a large law firm or a non-profit organization, or even write corporate compliance manuals. If you study computer science, you could consider working in retail tech support or becoming a CTO. 7. **Research the responsibilities of several jobs within the field.** While certain jobs may sound amazing in theory, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Find out the day-to-day responsibilities for several jobs within the field to help you narrow down your options. Go to the National Career Service website to peruse job profiles for more than 800 positions. Think about whether you can picture yourself completing the tasks happily or if the work seems overwhelming or misaligned with your vision of a new career. For instance, you may absolutely love animals, but if you’re squeamish about blood or needles, becoming a veterinary technician may not be right for you. However, a dog walker or pet groomer may be a better fit. 8. **Match your personal strengths and qualities with potential jobs.** It’s important to choose a career that fits with your temperament and personality. Think about whether you enjoy interacting with other people and if you work better alone or in a group setting. Also, consider if you are a great leader or take direction well, and whether you enjoy planning things or like to go with the flow. You should also think how well you manage time, if you are detail-oriented or focus on the big picture, and if you enjoy coming up with new ideas. For instance, if you want to work with technology but don’t enjoy being around other people or interacting with strangers, you could choose to work in development rather than marketing. 9. **Consider non-conventional or cross-field work.** Many skillsets translate to multiple fields or opportunities. Consider whether your education or experience will allow you to work in a related field. For instance, many teachers have a thorough understanding of the English language, and therefore make excellent editors and publishers. Alternatively, if you’re super athletic and love sports, perhaps you would do well as a coach, a manager, or an announcer. 10. **Sign up for an internship or apprenticeship to see if it’s a good fit.** One of the best ways to find out if a job is right for you is to actually work it! By signing up for an internship or apprenticeship, you’ll get to see what the day-to-day experience in a certain field is like. You’ll also make connections and meet other people in the industry. Do an online search to find internships or apprenticeships in the field you want to work in. Tap into your network and see if you have friends or family that work in the field. They may be able to help you find an internship, apprenticeship, or volunteer opportunity. 11. **Try to avoid making a decision based on the money you’ll make.** Although you’ll want to have a financially secure future, the expected income shouldn’t be the only determining factor in your decision. Feel free to research potential incomes for a variety of jobs, but aim to choose one that you feel is the best fit for you, rather than simply picking the one where you’ll make the most money. This will lead to you a fulfilling career. 12. **Figure out what qualifications you’ll need for the field you’ve chosen.** Speak to people that work in the industry to find out what kinds of backgrounds they have. You can also research minimum requirements for the kinds of jobs you hope to have. Once you know what is required, you can then work on becoming qualified for your new career. For instance, if you want to work as a registered nurse, you’ll need to take classes, complete clinicals, and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. 13. **Continue your education, if necessary.** Many positions may require a specific certification, license, or degree. If your heart is set on a certain job, but you don’t meet the requirements, take steps to become qualified. Do an online search for classes near you that will help you meet these goals. You can even work part-time while continuing your education in the evenings, if necessary. 14. **Apply for jobs you think would be a good fit.** Once you begin finding jobs that interest you, apply for each position and submit a resume that details your education, experience, and relevant skills. Include a tailored cover letter with each application that explains why you’re interested in the position and how you will add something to the team or company. Make sure all your documents are neat, clean, and free from errors. 15. **Ensure any prospective company’s values align with your own.** A career will be most fulfilling if the company’s values mirror your own. Think about what types of things are really important to you, and what types of things you’d be willing to compromise on. You may want to work with a company that is devoted to living a sustainable lifestyle, developing quality products, or helping people in need. For instance, if you’re a strict vegan because you believe eating meat is cruel, it would be better to take a job as an accountant for a clothing company than a butcher shop.

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How to Treat Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia, or what used to sometimes be called iron-poor blood, occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to all the cells and tissues of your body. Iron is needed by the body to make hemoglobin, which is the large, complex protein that transports oxygen into cells and transports carbon dioxide to the lungs. Anemia can be chronic or acute, and it can range from mild to severe. If you have iron deficiency anemia, you can learn how to treat it. 1. **Choose a ferrous iron supplement.** Iron can exist in two ionic forms: ferrous and ferric. Ferrous supplements are better absorbed than ferric. These include ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous citrate. Ferronyl is another form of iron that is better absorbed and commonly used in treatment of iron deficiency anemia. It can be found in supplements as well. Look at the elemental iron content in supplements if listed. You want about 30% elemental iron. The greater the percentage or milligrams listed, the more iron is likely to be absorbed. The dosage is usually 15 to 65 mg of elemental iron per day. This is usually best in divided doses. Make sure your supplement is tested by an independent lab and has a “Seal of Approval” from either Consumer Labs, the Natural Products Association (NPA), LabDoor, or the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). Ferrous is the standard treatment over ferric because it is absorbed better and it has less negative side effects. 2. **Take iron on an empty stomach.** Most of the adverse effects of an iron supplement can be avoided by taking the iron on an empty stomach, aside from orange juice. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. You can drink orange juice along with the iron supplement or take a vitamin C supplement. Do not take iron with milk, calcium supplements, or antacids. This will reduce the absorption of the iron. Do not take the iron with high fiber foods, coffee, or tea. 3. **Be aware of the risks and side effects of iron supplements.** You should know that just because something is natural or required by the body does not mean you can’t overdo it. Iron is a good example. Iron supplements can be dangerous if you take too much. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and keep them away from children. A condition called acquired hemochromatosis can occur because of taking too much iron as a supplement. It can cause joint and abdominal pain, weakness, lowered sex drive, and fatigue. Iron taken as supplements can cause an upset stomach, constipation, or black stools. Talk to your doctor if you are also taking tetracycline, penicillin, ciprofloxacin, or drugs used for Parkinson disease and seizure disorders. Iron can interfere with these medications. If you have peptic ulcer disease, enteritis, or ulcerative colitis, your should not take iron supplements. 4. **Incorporate enough iron into your diet.** You can get your recommended daily amount of iron from food sources. Many believe this is a safer and more effective way of increasing your iron. The amount of iron you need per day depends on your sex and your age. Use the following guide to determine how much iron you need: Infants: Newborns – 6 months: 0.27 mg/day; 7 – 12 months: 11 mg/day. Children: 1 – 3 years: 7 mg/day; 4–8 years: 10 mg/day. Men over 9 years old: 8 mg/day. Women: 9 – 13 years: 8 mg/day; 14 – 18 years: 15 mg/day; 19 – 50 years: 18 mg/day; 51 years and older: 8 mg/day. Pregnant women should have 27 mg/day. Women who are nursing should get the following: 14 – 18 years old: 10 mg/day; over 18 years old: 9 mg/day. 5. **Eat iron-rich foods.** A good way to treat iron deficiency anemia is to incorporate more iron into your diet. There are many foods that provide good sources of iron. Iron can be found in almost every food group, and there are plenty of non-meat sources of iron for vegetarians and vegans. Iron rich foods include: Lean red meat, liver, pork, poultry, and fish Leafy greens like spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, Swiss chard, kale, and beet greens, along with broccoli and all different kinds of lettuce Soy products, such as tofu, soybeans, and soy milk Legumes, such as peas, white beans, red beans, and chickpeas Dried fruits, such as raisins, apricots, and prunes Prune juice Whole grain cereals and breads that have been iron-fortified 6. **Limit iron-decreasing foods.** Certain foods can decrease your body’s iron absorption. If you have iron deficiency anemia, do not drink tea, coffee, or cocoa with your meals because they lower the amount of iron you absorb. You should also not take an iron supplement with your meals. Don’t drink milk or eat other dairy products for at least an hour after taking iron. The calcium in dairy products may decrease iron absorption. 7. **See your doctor.** To receive the proper treatment, a medical diagnosis has to be determined. There are many forms of anemia, and there can be serious consequences if anemia is left untreated or treated incorrectly. Before you can treat the anemia, you have to understand the cause of it. Make sure you see your physician if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of anemia so that they can determine the underlying cause and proper diagnosis. Your physician will perform a physical exam, listen to your heart and your breathing, and check for physical signs of anemia, such as pale skin and pale mucous tissues. They will also likely draw a small amount of blood to obtain a Complete Blood Count. This is a test that counts the number of red blood cells and other cells in the blood. The test will also test for the amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. If the underlying cause of the anemia is not clear, other tests may be ordered. 8. **Treat any underlying causes of anemia.** To treat iron deficiency anemia, you may need to treat the underlying condition that led to the anemia. The treatment depends on your specific condition. For iron deficiency anemia due to blood loss during menstruation, hormone treatments may be considered to lighten the flow. For anemia due to bleeding in the digestive tract, antibiotics and antacids or acid-reducing medications may be prescribed. In the case of lead poisoning, chelation therapy is used. In chelation therapy, certain drugs are used to bind to and filter out the lead. Rarely, blood transfusions may be necessary in severe cases of iron deficiency anemia. If the anemia is due to internal bleeding, surgery may be required to stop the bleeding. Other possible reasons for iron deficiency include decreased iron absorption, Celiac disease, certain foods and medications, poor response to erythropoietin, or gastric bypass surgery. 9. **Identify the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.** There are many different type of anemia, and anemia sometimes has generic symptoms that might be due to other conditions. This is why a doctor’s diagnosis is important. The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include: Constant fatigue not relieved by rest or sleep Pale skin Dizziness A rapid or an irregular heartbeat Cold hands and feet Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Chest pain Cognitive problems, such as confusion or memory loss Headache 10. **Learn the causes of iron deficiency anemia.** Red blood cells contain a protein known as hemoglobin. Hemoglobin in the red blood cells picks up oxygen in the lungs and dumps out the carbon dioxide at the same time. Hemoglobin contains iron, and without the iron, hemoglobin can’t function properly. Also without sufficient iron, your bone marrow cannot make enough red blood cells, and the result is anemia. You can get iron deficiency anemia if you: Don’t consume enough iron in your foods. This can be due to poor nutrition and pregnancy. Can’t absorb the iron from your foods. This can happen with certain disorders, such as celiac disease, or if part of your intestines have been removed by surgery. Lose too much iron by some form of internal bleeding, such as bleeding in the intestine, heavy menstrual bleeding, or because of the use of certain medications like aspirin or NSAIDs that can cause internal bleeding. Have lead poisoning. The lead replaces the iron in hemoglobin, and the hemoglobin cannot carry oxygen properly. Take aspirin regularly, which can cause ulcers and lead to bleeding. 11. **Determine if you are at risk.** There are a number of risk factors for iron deficiency anemia. Knowing if you are at risk can help you monitor for any symptoms or increase the amount of iron-rich foods in your diet. The most common risk factors include: Gender. Women who menstruate are at greater risk because they lose iron during their periods. Those with heavy periods are at a higher risk. Age. Children and infants need more iron for proper growth and development. Intestinal conditions that prevent the absorption of nutrients. Examples of these types of intestinal disorders are celiac disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Irritable Bowel Diseases (IBD), and Leaky Gut Syndrome. Pregnancy. Being pregnant can deplete a woman’s store of iron because it is being used to help produce blood in the fetus. Nutrition. Many people don’t eat well and do not get enough iron in their foods. Vegetarians and vegans can be at risk for iron-deficiency as well, but only if they don’t include iron-rich foods in their diets.

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How to Dress Yourself and Look Good (for Girls)

Looking great every day is easier than you think! Start by filling your wardrobe with clothes that fit well and work with your body shape. It’s also important to build your outfits systematically so that your ensemble looks polished. Choose a base item first, like a top or bottoms. Then, select other pieces that specifically complement the color, cut, and style of your base item. Don’t forget to complete your look with a great pair of shoes and matching accessories! 1. **Determine your body shape to help you choose flattering pieces.** While everybody is different, most female bodies fall into 1 of the following body shape categories: pear, apple, straight, inverted triangle, or hourglass. Start by measuring around the fullest part of your chest, the smallest part of your waist, and the widest part of your hips. Then, rank your bust, hip, and waist measurements from largest to smallest. If your bust and waist are smaller than your hips, you are a pear shape. If your bust is larger than your waist and hips, you’re an inverted triangle. If your bust, waist, and hips are about the same, you have a rectangle shape. If your waist is wider than your bust and hips, you're an apple shape. If your waist is smaller than your bust and hips, you have an hourglass shape. 2. **Emphasize your bust if you have an apple body shape.** If you have an apple body shape, wear tops that highlight your bust and show off your shoulders. Try to avoid clingy materials around the waist area, and gravitate toward thin belts rather than thick ones. Solid colors tend to look better than busy patterns on apple bodies, but feel free to experiment! You can also choose to emphasize shapely legs with tights and skirts. Keep in mind that these aren't hard and fast rules—there is plenty of room for experimentation. 3. **Wear formfitting clothes that accentuate your waist if you're a rectangle shape.** For rectangle body shapes, try form-fitting tops and scooped necklines to give your body more curves. Skinny jeans and dresses that emphasize your waist are also great options. Stay away from shapeless dresses, shoulder pads, and boxy tops and coats. Cinch loose clothes at the waist with your favorite belt so that your shape doesn't get lost in the fabric. 4. **Choose pieces that hug your curves if you have an hourglass shape.** If you’re an hourglass, go with tops, pants, and dresses that hug your curves and emphasize your waist. Avoid shapeless and baggy clothing. Stay away from pieces with extra fabric at the hips or bust to keep your look proportionate. Avoid wearing ruffles or pleats around your waist or hips. Be sure to wear supportive undergarments that fit you well! 5. **Go with clothes that accentuate your upper body if you have a pear shape.** For pears, try wearing tops in bright colors and prints to draw attention to your upper body. Stick to dark pants and skirts to slim your hips and waistline. Avoid details, like beads or other embellishments, at the hip or rear, since these can draw attention to those areas. Go with wide necklines, like boat-necks, scoop-necks, and sweetheart necks, to broaden your shoulders and emphasize your bust. 6. **Accentuate your waist and legs if you have an inverted triangle body shape.** If you’re an inverted triangle body shape, opt for tops with vertical stripes, A-line dresses, and bottoms that accentuate your waist and legs. Select wide-legged pants and skirts with bold, horizontal patterns to create the illusion of volume. Avoid pieces that make your hips look slimmer, like pencil skirts, skinny jeans, and other tapered cuts. Stay away from boxy shoulder pads and other shoulder embellishments that draw attention to this area. 7. **Opt for clothes that are comfortable and fit you well.** Avoid buying clothes just because they’re on sale! Always try them on first and make sure they fit you well. If the item is too long, loose, short, small, or big for you, leave it on the rack. Also, go through your current wardrobe and get rid of anything that doesn’t fit you well. If you own clothes that are too small, donate them to charity or give them to a little sister or cousin. Try to avoid keeping something that “might fit you again one day” if it’s already too small. Toss out baggy clothing unless you think it can be tailored to fit you perfectly. It’s usually only worth spending money on tailoring an item if it’s something really nice, though. Keep in mind that some clothes are supposed to be loose or formfitting! However, if your clothes are dragging on the ground, or if you feel like your movements are restricted, the items don't fit well. 8. **Wear colors that look great with your skin’s natural undertones.** No matter what your skin tone is, your skin’s undertones will fall into 1 of 3 categories: cool, warm, or neutral. Once you determine your undertones, choose clothes in colors that complement your undertones for a simple way to look polished and put-together. People with warm undertones look great in reds, oranges, yellows, ivory, browns, and gold. Cool tones match well with greens, blues, pinks, purples, and silver. If you have neutral undertones, you can pull off almost any color! Go with medium shades of any color you want and avoid pastels. 9. **Buy staple pieces that you can mix-and-match for an effortless look.** Wardrobe staples are items that never go out of style, which means you can rock them at any time and feel confident that you look stylish. It’s really easy to build an outfit around staple pieces, especially if they’re solid colors that you can mix-and-match with other items in your closet. Classic staple pieces are basic white T-shirts, black leggings, neutral-colored cardigans, long-sleeved button-down shirts, blue jeans, and black leather jackets. Don't cater too much to the trends—these usually last just a season. Wear trendy pieces as accents and mix these up with your basic pieces. 10. **Select a base item to build the rest of your outfit around.** Once you determine a base item, you can easily build complementary pieces around it to complete your outfit. This could be a top, bottom, or even a cool pair of shoes. Picking the rest of your ensemble will be a snap once you have the initial element laid down! For example, you might decide you want to wear black skinny jeans, a colorful halter top, or a patterned sweater. 11. **Opt for pieces in contrasting solid colors to create visual interest.** Contrasting colors break up your outfit and keep it from looking uniform. When choosing contrasting colors, try to stay within the same shade range. If you start with a neutral, pair it with a contrasting neutral. For example, pair a jewel-toned color with another jewel-toned color. If your base piece is pastel, choose a contrasting pastel piece to go with it. Pairing a white top with black jeans is a simple way to make your neutral outfit pop. Neutrals work in any season. Wear a pastel pink skirt with a pastel blue polo shirt for a cute spring look. A burgundy long-sleeved shirt under a sleeveless forest-green corduroy dress would be great for fall. 12. **Pair print or patterned base items with solid-colored pieces.** Avoid wearing multiple patterns or prints simultaneously. If your base item is a cute plaid skirt, make sure your other elements are solid. Choose solid colors pulled from the pattern of your base item to pull your look together. For example, if your plaid skirt is mostly navy blue with forest green and tan as secondary colors, choose a top that matches 1 of the secondary colors to tie the look together. 13. **Try a half-tuck so that your shape isn’t swallowed up by a baggy top.** You can always tuck in your shirt completely, but if you’re styling a casual outfit with a loose top, experiment with tucking half of the front of the top into your pants. That way, your waist isn’t lost in baggy layers and your outfit looks a little more polished. For example, half-tuck a loose sweater into regular fit blue jeans for a cozy, stylish look that doesn’t swallow you whole. 14. **Choose a third layer in a complementary or contrasting color and texture.** Layers can quickly elevate any outfit and create a more stylish vibe. Cardigans, hoodies, tights, vests, and jackets are typically considered to be third layers. Select colors that tie into or contrast with your outfit. Opt for fabrics with a different texture than your base items. For example, pair a pumpkin-colored cable knit cardigan with a burgundy silk top and dark wash skinny jeans. Elevate a basic white T-shirt and blue jeans with a black leather moto jacket. Top off your outfit with a well-cut blazer or fuzzy cardigan in a contrasting color. 15. **Go with cuts and styles that flatter each other when building layers.** Create a streamlined look by selecting layers that make sense with the cut and style of your base pieces. It can be fun to pair contrasting styles, but wearing layers in similar styles always looks put-together and effortless! For example, avoid wearing bulky or baggy layers on top of fitted pieces. If you're wearing skinny jeans and a fitted shirt, top it off with a slim-cut cardigan or perfectly tailored blazer for a polished ensemble. If you're wearing an edgy graphic T-shirt with your favorite band's name emblazoned on the front, pull on a leather jacket and biker boots to complete your street-ready look. 16. **Wear shoe colors that complement the colors of your outfit.** Black and nude shoes go with almost any outfit, so when in doubt, reach for one of those colors! If your outfit has a lot of brown in it, avoid black shoes and opt for brown or nude shoes instead. If you’re wearing a bright pattern, wear solid-colored shoes. If your shoes are bold, like a leopard print, pair them with solid-colored tops and bottoms. Add another visual element to your outfit by choosing shoes with an interesting texture, like suede. 17. **Match your shoes, belt, and bag for a polished look.** If you’re wearing black shoes, pair them with a black belt and black bag to instantly pull your entire outfit together. Do the same with nude and brown accessories. Make sure the hardware matches, as well! For example, if your belt has a silver buckle, your bag and shoes should also have silver elements. Your jewelry, like bangles, necklaces, and earrings, should also match. If your belt has a gold buckle, wear gold earrings. 18. **Grab a pair of statement sunglasses to complete any outfit.** Fun sunglasses can take almost any outfit to the next level! Choose sunglasses that flatter your face shape and match or contrast with the colors of your outfit for the best results. For example, try a pair of black cat-eye sunglasses for a classic look. Oversized shades or round lenses are great for bohemian styles. 19. **Stack your rings for a cool, street-style vibe.** If you’re into boho or easy glam looks, try layering your rings! Put your biggest ring on your index finger of either hand. Then, layer regular and midi rings on your ring fingers. Finish off the look with 2-3 contrasting midi rings on your middle fingers. 20. **Apply natural makeup for a fresh-faced look if you like makeup.** Makeup isn't a requirement, but it can help you feel more confident and put-together if you enjoy wearing it. Apply a lightweight foundation that matches your skin tone and use a dab of concealer to hide any imperfections and breakouts. Sweep on a subtle, rosy blush and a hint of mascara for a fresh, natural makeup look. If you have oily skin, use a little powder to get rid of shine. Go with a nude or berry lip gloss or stain. 21. **Create a neat and simple hairstyle before you head out the door.** Run a brush through straight hair to remove tangles. If you have curly hair, use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to get rid of any knots. Then, wear your hair loose around your shoulders, pull it up to get it out of your face, or apply a texturizing product to shorter styles to provide shape and definition. Try applying a small amount of anti-frizz cream or serum to tame flyaways. If you have limited time in the morning, consider getting a low-maintenance haircut that's super easy to style. 22. **Wash your face twice a day to keep your skin clear.** Wet your face with lukewarm water and gently massage a dime-size amount of face wash into your skin with your fingertips. Avoid scrubbing your face roughly! Then, rinse away the cleanser with warm water. Repeat this process every morning and each night before bed. You should also wash your face after sweating heavily. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you may want to limit cleanser to once per day, preferably in the evening. You can splash your face with plain warm water in the morning to rinse off your skin. Avoid harsh cleansers that list alcohol as an ingredient to prevent dry skin. 23. **Apply moisturizer after washing your face to keep skin hydrated.** After washing your face, gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Then, use your fingertips to apply a pea-sized amount of moisturizer all over your face. Be gentle around the delicate eye area when you're rubbing the product into your skin. Use a moisturizer with SPF 20 or higher in the morning to prevent sun damage. You can use a thicker moisturizer without SPF in the evening for an extra dose of hydration. Be sure to choose a moisturizer that’s formulated for your skin type. 24. **Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at night before bed.** Dental hygiene is important for looking and feeling great every day! At a minimum, brush your teeth every morning before you leave the house and every evening before bed. Follow up with floss in the evening to remove food between your teeth. Rinse out your mouth with a quality mouthwash to kill germs and bacteria that cause bad breath. Ideally, you should brush your teeth after each meal. If you want to brighten your smile, try a whitening toothpaste. Visit your dentist at least once a year to get a cleaning and check for cavities. 25. **Shower at least once per day to keep your body clean.** Most people should shower at least once a day; you can do this in the morning or at night before bed, depending on your personal preference. You should also shower after sweating heavily. Be sure to shampoo your hair at least once per week, depending on your hair type and texture. You can use dry shampoo on in-between days to prevent oily hair. 26. **Sleep 8-10 hours every night so that you're well-rested.** Getting a good night’s sleep gives your body time to repair itself and helps you look and feel your best every day. Establish a sleep schedule so that you go to bed and wake up at about the same time every day. Try to stick to your schedule on the weekends, too! While adults can get by with 7-9 hours of sleep per night, teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 need 8-10 hours. 27. **Eat a healthy diet that emphasizes nutritious food.** A nutritious diet supports glowing skin and healthy hair and nails. Incorporate plenty of fresh fruits and veggies into your diet. Try to avoid processed grains, like white bread, and stick with whole grains. Eat plenty of low-fat protein, like seafood, lean meats, eggs, and legumes. When it comes to dairy, go with fat-free or low-fat options. Avoid skipping meals! Try to eat 3 meals per day or 5-6 small meals per day, depending on your preference, caloric needs, and schedule. 28. **Aim for at least 60 minutes of exercise per day to stay in shape.** Exercising every day will keep you looking and feeling your best. For teen girls, 60 minutes of moderate exercise daily is ideal. You can choose any kind of exercise you want as long as it gets your heart pumping! For example, walking, jogging, playing sports, hitting the gym, biking, and dancing are just a few ways to get moving each day.

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How to Cut Down on Masturbating to Porn: 13 Techniques

Masturbation is a normal and natural activity, but maybe reliance on porn just doesn't fit into the lifestyle you want. Everyone has unique reasons for stopping their consumption of pornography, and each of these is valid. Perhaps you feel you engage in these habits more than you'd like, or maybe they interfere with your social, professional, or romantic life. Whatever the case is, we're here to support you in your journey. We know it will take time, patience, and perseverance, so we'll show you how to quit in stages. Read on to learn how to resist porn so you can enjoy a life balance that's right for you. 1. **Install porn blockers and avoid provocative materials online.** “Triggers” are any factors that make it more difficult to resist masturbating to porn, like suggestive photos online or subscriptions to cam sites. Use a service like Adguard, which not only blocks porn sites but all adult content in general. When you make porn nearly impossible to access, it'll be a lot easier to combat a dependence on it. Make sure to install a porn blocking app on your phone, too. Aim to update all your devices so they'll keep you from viewing porn. Download an app like BlockerX to keep any of your tech porn-free. To make it even harder to access pornography—especially since it’s so prevalent online— activate your browser’s safe search filter, which will prevent you from finding anything that’s sexually graphic. Try changing your scenery so it's porn-free, too. Avoid other forms of adult entertainment—like strip clubs—and revamp your room. Make sure it doesn't have suggestive materials around, like porn posters or magazines. 2. **Calm and clear your mind to avoid thinking about porn.** Meditation can help you feel relaxed and present, which might help reduce any stress or restlessness. Mindfulness also helps prevent intrusive thoughts, like a fixation on porn sites or suggestive videos. When you meditate, you also become more conscious of your emotions, so you’re less likely to use addictive habits to avoid them. If meditation becomes a part of your regular practice, you might even find yourself more at peace. For a simple meditation, sit or stand in a comfortable position. Then, focus your attention on your breath. When your thoughts wander, bring them back to your breath. Do this for at least 10 minutes. Listen to guided meditations on YouTube or try mindfulness apps like Headspace, Insight Timer, or Calm. 3. **Use physical activity instead of porn to let off steam.** If you watch porn and masturbate to unwind and relax, then exercising for 30 minutes a day is a great lifestyle swap. To help you release excess energy, add cardio to your workout. Choose activities that you enjoy—you might end up having so much fun that it becomes your favorite way to spend your free time. For example, jog in a scenic area, swim, or take a dance class. Consider going to the gym or joining a sports team, where you can connect with others. Exercise offer numerous benefits—it lowers stress, anxiety, and depression and boosts endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, all of which can improve your mood. 4. **Enjoy real connections to avoid turning to porn.** Masturbation is often a way to cope with loneliness and boredom, but it can also keep you inside and away from the people you care about. To end the routine of masturbating or watching porn to simulate a connection, schedule your day in a way that carves out a lot of time for meaningful social interactions. For example, if there's a particular time of the day that you masturbate, replace it with a social activity—at 7 P.M., after you're done with work, you can: text a friend, grab dinner with someone you're interested in, or play pool with your buddies. Studies have shown a correlation between masturbation addiction and social anxiety, so as you quit, you'll probably find a renewed sense of confidence and motivation to bond with others. 5. **Replace porn with hobbies that are fun and engaging.** Chronic masturbation to porn correlates with lower levels of concentration, reduced ability to focus on tasks, and less motivation—once you start a hobby in lieu of watching porn, you may find life a lot more pleasurable and interesting. You’ll not only distract yourself, but you’ll get better at the activities you love and boost your brain health. Hobbies have been proven to reduce your stress, improve your mood, decrease your anxiety, enhance your focus, and even lower your heart rate and blood pressure. A hobby is any activity you love doing during your free time—you might enjoy ones that are creative (like painting, writing, or sculpting), athletic (like playing soccer, learning martial arts, or kickboxing), academic (like studying business, coding, or poker), or leisurely (like vacationing or fishing). 6. **Treat yourself to other things that bring you pleasure.** Any time you masturbate or watch porn, your body releases dopamine, a hormone that gives you pleasure. Naturally, the release of dopamine tempts you to consume more porn or masturbate more often. However, you can indulge in other simple joys that release bursts of dopamine, like eating your favorite foods, taking a relaxing shower, or watching a movie. Treat yourself to a variety of pleasurable activities, not just one. For example, eat a piece of candy on Monday, go to an arcade on Tuesday, buy yourself a book on Wednesday, listen to your favorite band on Thursday, go out with friends on Friday, go out to dinner on Saturday, and play your favorite video game on Sunday. When you get small bursts of dopamine (as opposed to many “hits” of it from chronically masturbating or watching porn), your mind and body will be more balanced, and you’re likely to feel more motivated because you’re seeking out a variety of new and novel rewards. Avoid any alcohol or drug use, as these types of rewards will contribute to a cycle of dependence and may lower your mental and physical well-being. 7. **Try a 12-step program to give up porn and remain accountable.** A support group offers a judgment-free zone where you can discuss the benefits of a porn-free lifestyle. To find a local support group, check out an online directory. Attend one and talk to a trained facilitator and others who understand your journey. Open up about your struggles and strategize together about ways you can overcome a reliance on porn. Support groups promote healing, growth, and self-improvement because participants can discuss their challenges without any fear of shame. Others in the support group can share their own advice and tips about how they managed a porn-free lifestyle. If you ever relapse and watch porn again, this is a very normal situation, and your support group can help you get back on track. 8. **Reflect on incentives to stop your habit so you stay motivated.** You may have a variety of reasons that inspire you to give up porn: perhaps you want more free time to pursue hobbies, greater intimacy in your relationship, and improved focus. You might also just have one, like overcoming an addiction to porn so you have a more active dating life. Either way, note the ways that quitting masturbation will support your endeavors to establish why you’re changing your habits. To address the reasons listed above, you might write follow-up details like, “I’ll be able to play pickup basketball again, connect on a deeper level with my girlfriend, and stay on task at work,” or, “I’ll appreciate the people I’m pursuing instead of comparing them to porn performers.” You might experience “moral incongruence”—when your moral or religious values and your sexual behaviors don’t match up—so you want to give up porn to avoid that inner conflict. Just remember not to harshly judge yourself: the drive to masturbate is normal. Keep your list in a place where it's easy to find, like inside your bedstand, so you can keep reviewing it. Studies show that just writing down a goal is highly effective because it encourages you to commit to it. 9. **Create a timeline for gradually weaning yourself off porn use.** First, set a deadline for quitting altogether, such as 2-3 months from now. Then, divide that time into 4 segments. During the 1st segment, limit yourself to 1 time a day. Then, cut that to 4 times a week during the 2nd segment and 2 times per week during the 3rd segment. Finally, masturbate and watch porn just 1 time during the 4th (and final) segment. When you quit in stages, the adjustment period will be easier and you'll experience less withdrawal. For instance, let’s say you were going to quit over a 2-month period: Each segment would last 2 weeks. During weeks 1-2, masturbate and watch porn no more than 1 time a day. During weeks 3-4, cut down to 4 times per week. For weeks 5-6, limit yourself to just 2 times per week. Finally, masturbate and watch porn only 1 time altogether during weeks 7-8. 10. **Keep a visual reminder of all the progress you've made.** Check off every day that you resisted your unwanted habit and focused on other lifestyle choices. Mark them on a calendar, jot down a running tally in a journal, or record the amount of days on your phone’s notepad app. As you see the days rack up, you’ll have proof of your incredible willpower and reinforce that you’re capable of anything you set your mind to. Leave your reminder somewhere discreet—only you need to know about your goals and your personal journey. Consider using an app, like Stop M, which offers a 30-day "no masturbation" challenge, tracks your progress, and motivates you to resist masturbation addiction. Tracking is a valuable tool to encourage accountability and set new habits. 11. **Have an open, honest conversation to find healthy support in your partner.** It’s understandable if it feels a little uncomfortable to open up about your porn and masturbation habits. Just keep in mind that honesty is the foundation of every healthy dynamic. Explain why you seek out pornography and share any ideas about how you can enhance your sexual relationship with your significant other. Then, listen to your partner explain their needs so you can work toward a compromise that satisfies both of you. You might say, “I’ve gotten into the habit of watching porn and masturbating every night to unwind. I really want to stop because I’m concerned that it’s hurting our relationship. I’d be interested in experimenting with different techniques to spice up our love life. Is that something you’d like to try?” Also check in about their emotional and physical wellbeing: “How are you doing after hearing about this? Is there any way I can make sure you feel respected and valued? What are you looking for in our sex life?” 12. **Move on and keep working toward your goals—we all make mistakes.** Avoid punishing yourself if you give in to the urge to masturbate. You’re only human, and masturbation is a very natural act, after all. Instead of shaming yourself, cope with your guilt by using affirmations and positive self-talk. Remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can, and give yourself credit for all the work you’ve done in reprogramming your habits. Give yourself a pep talk like, "I have a lot of will power and can do anything I set my mind to. Tomorrow is another day." Remember—if you want to get back on track, you'll definitely be successful. Just return to your new lifestyle choices. 13. **See a therapist if masturbation or porn interferes with your life.** It’s perfectly normal if you’re struggling to stop completely. You may need additional strategies to help you quit, and a mental health professional can help you identify these. Consult a therapist to discuss why you feel the need to engage with your habits and the ways in which they impact your lifestyle. When you’re open and transparent, this trained expert can help you better understand your psychology and suggest ways to cope with your temptations. Discuss ACT Therapy (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) with your therapist to come to terms with your urges—research shows that this shame-free approach is highly effective as those who use it reduce porn use by over 90% after 12 sessions. Talk to your therapist about how to develop a "relapse plan" in case you masturbate to porn again and want to return to your preferred lifestyle habits. Keep in mind that counselors have worked with many clients who have faced issues just like yours—there’s absolutely no reason to feel embarrassed about speaking up. Browse a directory of therapists and read their bios to see which ones resonate with you. For instance, you may wish to book a session with one who specializes in sex addiction.

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How to Transfer Files Between Laptops

Moving your data from one laptop to another doesn't have to be a huge headache - there are several methods for quickly transferring digital data. The number and size of the files you're wanting moved, the types of laptops you are transferring between, and your own technical confidence will help determine which method is the best fit for you. 1. **Ensure both computers are on same network.** A Server Message Block (SMB) is a protocol (set of rules) for transferring files between computers over the internet. The laptops can be either PCs or Macs (or a combination) for this method to work. This is the easiest and fastest method for large scale file transfer between laptops. Use only a secure connection - don't try this over a public network. Make sure to password-protect your user profiles on both computers for extra security. Your server laptop is the one with the files, the client laptop is the one you want to transfer the files to. 2. **Set up your server laptop.** The server computer is the one currently holding the files you want to transfer. You'll need to change the network settings by designating a workgroup name. This workgroup will act like a conference room where your two computers will meet. The name for the workgroup can be anything you decide. In Windows OS, choose a workgroup name through "computer domain and workgroup settings". Applying this change will trigger a restart for your PC. On a Mac, choose a workgroup name through System Preferences->Network->Advanced->WINS. Choose your workgroup name and apply the changes. In either case, make a mental note of the "name" of the the server computer. 3. **Switch to the client laptop.** Go through the same network workgroup setup process on your client computer. Make sure to use the exact same workgroup name as you did with your server computer. 4. **Access the files and begin the transfer.** Now it's time to begin moving your files. Look for the "name" of the server laptop and click into it to access all shared folders from that laptop. In Windows, open your "Network" application. All computers in the shared network workgroup should appear within a few seconds, including the server laptop you just set up. On a Mac, all computers in the shared network workgroup will appear in your Finder window. 5. **Set up an FTP server.** An FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is another handy way to transfer files between machines using only the internet. First you'll work with the server computer - the one that has the files you want to transfer - in order to make it accessible. FTP is generally best if you feel you need recurring access between your two laptops. On a Mac, go to System Preferences->Sharing->Services and check "FTP Access". Next click "Start" and wait for the change to apply. Note that this path may be slightly different in different versions of OSX. In Windows, go to Control Panel->Programs->Programs and Features->Turn Windows features on or off. Next click the plus symbol next to "Internet Information Services" (IIS), then put a check next to "FTP Server." Click "OK". 6. **Install an FTP client on the client computer.** This is software that allows you to easily access FTP servers with only the server address or IP address. Popular ones include FileZilla, WinSCP, Cyberduck, and WebDrive. 7. **Access the files on the FTP server from the FTP client.** Now all you need to do is log in to the FTP server from the client computer and access your files for fast and secure transfer. On a Mac, go to Finder->Go->Connect to Server. You will be prompted for the server or IP address of the server computer. Enter it and click "Connect". In Windows, open your internet browser and type the server computer's IP address into the address bar directly. Go to File->Login As. Enter the username and password to log in. If you're having trouble finding your server computer's IP address, consult Find Your IP Address on a Mac or Find the IP Address of Your PC. For more details on the FTP method of transferring files, check out Set up an FTP Between Two Computers. 8. **Find a compatible storage device.** External hard drives and other USB flash drives are sometimes formatted to work with one operating system (OSX or Windows) only. Depending on the computers you're transferring between you may need to reformat to a more universal formatting option (FAT32) before attempting the transfer. Using a storage device is one of the slowest methods for file transfer but may be the simplest to execute if you're feeling intimidated by the more technical methods. If the storage device is recognized and the files are accessible on both computers, you can proceed. If reformatting is necessary you can find more information at Format FAT32 The limitation of this method is typically speed, as numerous large files will take a significant amount of time to transfer in this fashion. 9. **Plug the storage device into the server computer.** Check that you have enough space on the storage device to house all the files you'd like to transfer before beginning. Your best bet is to know in advance how much space you will need and to plan accordingly. 10. **Move the files** This process will be like other file management on your laptop - simply drag and drop the files you need and wait while they are fully transferred to the storage device. 11. **Eject the drive** Make sure to disconnect properly to avoid damaging the files, then drag and drop to the client laptop's desktop or another more appropriate location. 12. **Choose a cloud storage service.** Companies like Dropbox, Google Drive and many others offer cloud storage for your most important files and can also act as an effective file transfer method between laptops. You'll need an account with one of these providers (initial membership and some storage space is typically free). The limitations to this method will be storage space, upload time, and potential cost - however if you need to move smaller files on a more frequently basis this may be a great solution for you. You can also use Microsoft OneDrive, which integrates with your Office 365 subscription. 13. **Move your files into the cloud.** Depending on the service this may be as simple as dragging and dropping the files to your open internet browser, or could involve a more formal file upload procedure. Wait while the cloud service uploads your files in full. 14. **Access your cloud account from the client computer.** Download the files you want to this laptop and the transfer is complete! Cloud services also provide extra security through consistent file backup and the possibility of collaborative file editing, so getting to know cloud storage may be a smart move for you regardless! 15. **Check the compatibility of your laptops.** Both laptops will require a firewire input and you will need an appropriate firewire cord to connect them. This method makes the most sense if you are transferring between either two Macs or two PCs. If instead you are transferring between operating systems then look into a different method. 16. **Plug in both ends of the firewire.** Firewire plugs take a few different forms - double check you have the right cord and appropriate adaptors to fit both of your laptops before beginning. 17. **Access the server computer through the client computer.** Use the client laptop (the one you want files transferred to) to find and access the server laptop (the one with the files). Once connected it should appear on the desktop or else where external drives normally appear. 18. **Drag and drop files as normal.** Now that your laptops are directly connected you can shift files as needed, similar to any other file management on your computer. 19. **Set the receiver of the email as your own email address.** Emailing yourself can be a quick and simple way to send one or two smaller-sized files to a different computer, for anything more try one of the other methods. 20. **Attach files** Different email clients (e..g gmail, hotmail, yahoo) have different attachment size limitations. Some allow you to drag and drop files directly to the email body while others require you to click "attach" and then browse your computer's file trees. 21. **Log into your email on the client computer.** Now download the attachment. 22. **You can set up a network between 2 PCs directly without access point.** 23. **You have to use a crossover ethernet cable.** Set up the IP addresses and subnet mask to be with the same network. Share a folder on one PC. Copy files from the other PC to the shared folder.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Transfer-Files-Between-Laptops", "language": "en"}

How to Make a Baby Fleece Blanket

Fleece is a wonderful material to make baby blankets out of. Not only is it warm and soft, but it also comes in lots of colors and patterns. Best of all, the edges do not need finishing or serging because fleece does not fray. There are lots of ways in which to make a fleece baby blankets, and not off of those ways require sewing! Whichever version you choose to make, you are sure to end up with something truly unique. 1. **Cut two pieces of 40 by 40-inch (101.6 by 101.6-centimeter) fleece.** Your finished blanket will by 36 by 36 inches (91.44 by 91.44 centimeters) with a 4-inch (10.16-centimeter) long fringe. You can use the same color for each piece of fleece, or you can use two contrasting colors. You can also use a solid color for one piece, and a matching pattern for the other. 2. **Stack the fleece pieces on top of each other, then cut a 4-inch (10.16-centimeter) square out of each corner.** Cut through both pieces of fleece as the same time to ensure that the squares match up. If you are using a patterned piece of fleece, make sure that the right side is facing out. 3. **Cut 1-inch (2.54-centimeter) wide, 4-inch (10.16-centimeter) long slits into all four edges.** Once again, try to cut through both layers of fleece at the same time. This will ensure that your tassels match up. 4. **Start tying the top tassels to the bottom tassels in tight, double-knots.** Starting in the lower left-hand corner, take the first tassel from the top and bottom pieces of felt. Tie the two tassels together into a tight, double-knot. 5. **Continue tying the tassels together on all four sides of the blanket.** Finish the bottom row, then work your way around the side, top, and other side. Once you have finished tying all of the tassels, your blanket is ready to use! 6. **Cut two 40 by 40-inch (101.6 by 101.6-centimeter) pieces of fleece.** They can both be the same color, or they can be two different colors. You can even use a solid color for one piece, and a pattern for the other. Your finished blanket will measure 36 by 36 inches (91.44 by 91.44 centimeters) with a 4-inch (10.16-centimeter) fringe on all four sides. 7. **Stack the two pieces of felt, then cut a 4-inch (10.16-centimeter) square out of each corner.** Try to cut through both layers of fleece at the same time. This will ensure that all of your edges match up. If you are using patterned fleece, make sure that the right side is facing out. 8. **Cut a 1½-inch (3.81-centimeter) wide, 4-inch (10.16-centimeter) long tassels into all four sides of your blanket.** Once again, be sure to cut through both layers of fleece at the same time. 9. **Cut a ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) long slit into the top edge of each tassel.** Make sure that you are making the slits right next to the body of the blanket, and not the narrow/raw end of the tassels. 10. **Pull the tassels through each slit.** Starting from the bottom left corner, take the first tassel from the top and bottom pieces of fleece. Holding them together, push them through the 1/4-inch (0.64-centimeter) slit you made. Gently tug on the tassels to tighten them. 11. **Continue pulling the tassels through the slits on all four edges of the blanket.** This blanket is similar to the traditional tied, no-sew blanket, but because you are not tying the tassels together, you won't get as much bulk. 12. **Cut a 37 by 37-inch (93.98 by 93.98-centimeter) piece of felt.** The finished blanket will by 36 by 36 inches (91.44 by 91.44-centimeters) with ½-inch (1.27-centimeter) hems. 13. **Fold the top and bottom edges of your blanket down by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters), then pin them in place.** If you are using a patterned blanket, make sure that the wrong side is facing you. 14. **Sew the hems down using a zigzag stitch.** If you have a fancier sewing machine, adjust the stitch length so that it is long and wide. Do not use any seam allowances; simply sew right over the seam. Remove the pins as you sew. Use a thread color that matches the blanket. 15. **Fold and sew the s ide edges.** Fold the side edges down by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) as before, and pin them in place. Sew right over the seam using a long, wide, zigzag stitch. 16. **Finish the blanket.** Carefully go over your blanket. Remove any pins and trim off any loose threads. Your blanket is now ready to use! 17. **Cut a 36 by 36-inch (91.44 by 91.44-centimeter) piece of fleece.** If you'd like the blanket to be double-sided, cut two pieces of fleece instead: one that is solid-colored, and one that is patterned. 18. **Use a bowl to trace and cut rounded edges onto the corners of your blanket.** Trace the corners first using a pen, then cut the corners out using a sharp pair of scissors. Not only does this give your blanket a unique touch, but you won't have to sew Mildred corners when adding the bias tape. You can also use a plate or a lid. 19. **Sew the bias tape together, if needed.** Unless you made your own bias tape, or bought it already the right length, you will have to sew two or more lengths of bias tape together to make one long, continuous strand. Open up both ends of the bias tape, then pin them together, with the wrong sides facing out. Sew the two strands together using a ¼-inch (0.64-centimeter) seam allowance. 20. **Pin the bias tape all the way around the edge of the blanket.** Nestle the raw edge of the blanket right into the fold of the bias tape. Place a sewing pin ever 3 inches (7.62 centimeters). 21. **Fold the end of the bias tape under itself to conceal the raw edge.** Trim off the excess bias tape until you have about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) left. Overlap it by ½ inch (1.27 centimeters), then fold the excess under itself. Press it flat with an iron, then pin it in place. 22. **Sew around the bias tape, using a ⅛-inch (0.32-centimeter) seam allowance.** Use a thread color that matches the bias tape. Remove the pins as you sew. 23. **Finish the blanket.** Go over your blanket and double-check for any missed pins, then carefully trim off any loose threads. Your blanket is now complete, and ready to use!

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How to Change a Well Water Filter

If your home's main source of water is well water, you probably have a filtration system that your water runs through before it comes out of your faucets. The filter that cleans that water needs to be changed every 30 to 90 days. Make sure you have the correct replacement filter. You'll need to turn off your water before you use a metal filter wrench to remove the old filter. After you put the new filter in, check the o-ring for damage and lubricate it, along with the threads on the filter housing. Once you've replaced the housing, you can turn the water back on! 1. **Note the filter brand.** The housing around your well water filter, or the filter itself, lists what brand your system is. If it's not on the housing of the filter, try checking the system itself. You'll need to know the brand name to ensure you get the right filter. Some common well water filtration system brands are Whirlpool, Reynolds, and Culligan. 2. **Check the filter model number.** The model number should be listed near the brand name on your filter housing. There might be a label on the housing that lists the model number, or it might be stamped right into the metal or plastic of the housing. 3. **Purchase a new filter.** You can buy well water filters at most home improvement stores, or you can order them through online retailers. You can also check the website for the brand you have; they sometimes sell their filters directly. You can expect to spend between 25 and 35 dollars for your replacement filter, depending on the brand and model. 4. **Get a metal filter wrench.** A filter wrench is designed specifically to make removing old filters easy. Metal filter wrenches have a handle, usually coated in plastic or rubber, on one end. On the other, you'll see a large circle made of metal. It will slide over your filter. You can purchase a metal filter wrench from most online retailers. 5. **Place a bucket under your filter.** When you remove the filter casing, chances are some water will pour out. Place a bucket directly under your filter to catch this water and prevent anything else from getting wet. 6. **Cover any nearby electrical panels.** Your water filter will likely be located near the electrical unit that controls your filtration system. Cover that unit — and any other nearby electrical panels or outlets — with plastic. Use a plastic grocery bag or plastic sheeting to cover any exposed electrical panels. Just make sure there aren't any gaps where water can get in. 7. **Turn off your water.** The exact location of the water shut-off valve will be different depending on the type of system you have and how your home's plumbing is set up. Look for it near the filter. The shut-off valves might look like knobs that need to be turned either vertically or horizontally, or wheels that need to be spun to the right or left. If you're not exactly sure where the shut-off valve is, look up the user or owner manual online. If you're still not sure, you can ask a representative of the company to come out and take a look. 8. **Press the pressure release.** At the top of your filter housing, you should see a small red button. This is the pressure release. In order to change the filter, press the button. When you do, a bit of water may come out. That's normal, and the bucket under your filter should catch anything that drips down. 9. **Slide the filter wrench up over the filter housing.** Face the handle of the wrench out to the right, away from the housing. Slide the hoop of the wrench up over the housing until it feels snug. 10. **Turn the wrench from right to left.** Grasp the handle of the wrench and turn it clockwise. It might be hard to turn at first. Apply steady, even pressure on the wrench handle until the housing begins to turn. 11. **Reset the wrench and repeat the turn if a wall is in your way.** Depending on where your filter is, there might not be enough room behind it to just continuously rotate the wrench until the filter housing comes loose. If that's true, turn the wrench as far as you can, then slide the wrench off the housing, reset it so the handle is on the right side of the housing, and turn it again. 12. **Use your hand to unscrew the housing once it's loose.** After you've rotated the filter wrench a few times, test the housing's looseness. It should be loose enough for you to unscrew it the rest of the way by hand. Once you get to this point, hold the bucket up as close to the housing as possible. Then unscrew the housing the rest of the way with your hand. Because the housing will be filled with water, it might be heavier than you expect when it finally comes free of the filtration system. Hold the bucket as close to the housing as possible, so that if you accidentally drop the housing, you won't get water everywhere. 13. **Remove the old filter from the housing.** Well water filers just sit inside of the housing, so there aren't any clamps to unhook. Grasp the top of the filter and pull it straight up to remove it from the housing. Dump any excess water out of the housing after you've removed the filter. 14. **Insert the new filter.** Check the ends of the new filter. If it needs to go in a certain way, one end of the filter will say "top" and the other end will say "bottom." Make sure the end with "bottom" written on it goes into the housing first. 15. **Check the o-ring.** On the top of the housing, you'll see the o-ring, or the round piece of rubber that guarantees a tight seal between the housing and system. Take the o-ring off of the housing and check it for dings, flat-spots, or holes. If you find any, you'll need to order a new o-ring. You should be able to get a new o-ring from the same place you purchased your new filter. 16. **Lubricate the o-ring and threads of the housing.** Use a food-grade silicon grease to lubricate your o-ring and the o-ring groove in the housing. Squeeze some of the lubricant onto the o-ring and rub it all the way around. Replace the o-ring and then squeeze a bit more lubricant into the o-ring groove in the housing. Rub some silicon around the threads on the housing, too. You can find food-grade silicon grease at most home improvement stores or online. 17. **Line up the housing with the system.** The top of the housing will have threads at the top, where it will screw into the filtration system. Line the housing up under where it screws into the system. 18. **Screw the housing back into the filtration system.** Once you have the housing lined up, begin rotating the housing counterclockwise. As you do so, it will screw into the system until all of the threads on the housing have disappeared and it won't spin anymore. Then use the filter wrench to tighten it some more. 19. **Wipe down the housing.** Chances are the outside of the housing got a little wet while you were changing the filters. Use a soft cloth to wipe down the outside of the housing and remove any excess moisture. 20. **Turn the water back on.** Once the filter is changed and the housing is screwed back in, you can turn the water back on. Watch the housing carefully — if water starts to leak out of it, you haven't tightened the housing enough. Turn the water off, tighten the housing, and then turn it back on.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Change-a-Well-Water-Filter", "language": "en"}

How to Logroll an Injured Person During First Aid

The first rule in first aid is to do no harm. This seems like an obvious rule of thumb, but it is one that often goes against what every fiber in your body is telling you to do. In the event of severe trauma to the head, neck or spine, your instinct is to move the person into a more comfortable position or get them to a safer area, but moving them can injure them to a greater extent. If the injured person is in immediate danger or is ready to be placed in an ambulance and sent to the hospital, you can "log roll" them onto a spinal board if you understand and can execute the procedure.. 1. **Look for signs of a spinal injury.** If you suspect a spinal injury to the back or neck of a person in need of help, do not move him or her if there is no immediate need to (see below for reasons). Assume an injured person has a spinal injury if: they are unconscious or losing consciousness; they complain of severe spinal pain (neck of back); they can't move their neck or limbs; they feel weakness or numbness in their limbs; they lose control of their bowel or bladder; their spine is positioned oddly of crooked; they've fallen from a significant height or been hit by something substantial. Permanent paralysis and other serious life-threatening complications can result from moving a person with a spinal injury — even a mild one initially. Assume a spinal injury whenever a person is hit by a car or falls from a height greater than 10 feet. It's always better to error on the side of caution. 2. **Begin CPR if the injured person is not breathing.** Regardless if you think an injured person has a spinal injury or not, you need to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if they are unconscious and not breathing. If the injured person shows no signs of circulation (no wrist / neck pulse, breathing, coughing or movement), begin CPR immediately with at least 30 chest pumps and then a couple of breaths into their mouth. However, don't tilt the head back to open the airway (as is recommended with CPR) if you suspect a neck injury. Instead, use your fingers to gently grasp the jaw and lift it forward before giving emergency breaths. Repeat this CPR cycle (30 compressions / 2 breaths) until resuscitated or until medical help arrives If a person has no heart beat and is not breathing they are already considered dead, so resuscitating them is a higher priority than avoiding a potentially worse spinal cord injury. Before administering CPR, call 9-1-1 or an emergency number to get medical help on the way as soon as possible. 3. **Administer basic first aid if the person is bleeding.** If an injured person is bleeding, then provide as much basic first aid as possible without moving their head or neck. Rinse away any dirt and debris from wounds with clean (preferably distilled) water. Put pressure against any bleeding wounds with a clean (preferably sterilized) cloth or bandage. Leave any large puncture items in the wound as removing them may lead to much more bleeding. Splinting any broken bones should only be done by trained professionals or in cases where medical help may not be available for long durations. Keep the injured person warm (with a blanket or a jacket) and hydrated to prevent or delay them going into shock. 4. **Determine how many bystanders are available to log roll.** If you determine the injured person absolutely needs to be rolled on their side in order to be moved or to prevent choking, then determine how many people are around who want to help. The more people around (up to five), the better because more hands can stabilize the injured person while log rolling them and prevent unwanted spinal motion. If you're the only person to log roll, then you better have an excellent reason to proceed instead of waiting for paramedics to arrive. A minimum of at least two people are needed to log roll an injured person in an emergency — one to stabilize the neck / head, and one to stabilize the lower spine / pelvis. Five or six people is the ideal number to log roll in most situations in order to stabilize the neck / head, arms, low back / pelvis and legs. 5. **Get positioned over the injured person.** Whoever emerges as the leader should position themselves at the injured person's head (assuming they're already on their back) and coordinate the timing of the log roll. The person at the head stabilizes the neck (cervical spine) by firmly grasping the side of the head over the ears, lower jaw and at the base of the skull. Others should hold and stabilize the arms / thoracic spine, lumbar spine / pelvis and legs around the knees. If the injured person is still conscious, keep them still and assure them they're going to be okay to keep them calm. If you have any towels, blankets or extra clothes around, wrap them up and place them on both sides of the neck to provide support and prevent movement. Explain to any inexperienced helpers what you're about to do (log roll) and how to do it. These uninjured volunteer helpers may also need some calming down. 6. **Get the spinal board or sheet / tarp ready.** If you are log rolling the injured person onto a spinal board or sheet / tarp in order to be moved, then get it ready by positioning it right next to the side you're planning on lifting off the ground. Remember that you'll need an extra person to push the spinal board or sheet under the victim once they are on their side. A helper who's stabilizing the injured person cannot let go before the log roll is complete. Determine what side is best for the injured person to be rolled onto. This might be determined by the landscape of where the person has fallen or if they appear to have a broken arm of dislocated shoulder. A spinal board should be designed for carrying a person towards an ambulance. If you have to make one, make sure its flat and can support at least a few hundred pounds — thick plywood works well. 7. **Coordinate the log roll.** The leader should coordinate the timing of the roll once everybody is in position and stabilizing their designated body segment. Announce on the count of three that everybody should slowly roll the person onto an agreed upon side (right or left). At the end of the count, slowly roll the person without completely lifting them off the ground. Stop while they're on their side and don't let them roll onto their stomach, which can torque and extend the spinal column. Ideally the victim's head and neck should remain in a straight line axis with the rest of their spine and pelvis during the log roll. Research shows that it's best to keep a person's arms pinned against their sides (palms against their thighs) while log rolling them — it reduces spinal movement. 8. **Position the spinal board / sheet underneath and lower the person.** Once the injured person is on their side, have someone quickly push the spinal board or sheet directly underneath them. Position it so that the victim's body will completely cover the board and be as close to its center as possible. The head and feet should eventually be secured to the spinal board (ideally), so don't leave any of the body hanging over the edge. Once the board or sheet is properly positioned, roll the person onto it carefully, beginning on the agreed upon count again. The person at the top of the injured person should continue to hold the head and support the cervical spine until the emergency medical personnel arrive with a special immobilizing neck support / collar. The injured person can now be transported to a waiting emergency vehicle (ambulance or helicopter) or away from danger. At least two strong people are needed to lift and carry an injured person on a spinal board, although four is ideal. 9. **Place a spinal board underneath.** A log roll involves partially rolling a person (usually from their back to their side) so that a long spinal board can be wedged underneath them. Once the spinal board is underneath the injured person and they are laying on their back, they can be lifted by paramedics and carried to an ambulance or other emergency transport vehicle. Transporting a person on a spinal board minimizes movement to their spine and reduces risk of further injury if they have a spinal injury. The log roll obviously involves some movement to the spine, but it's the safest way to transfer a person onto a spinal board if there is only a few people available. If there's at least five other people around able to help you, doing a 6-person lift procedure onto a spinal board is considered a little safer than a log roll due to less impact on the spinal column. 10. **Use a sheet to transport.** Another reason to log roll an injured / unconscious person is to remove them from immediate danger or threat of further injury if they remained in the same spot. If emergency medical personnel aren't present with a spinal board and you need to transport a person away from danger, log roll them to the side and place a sturdy sheet, blanket, tarp etc. under them, then lift it and carry it with the injured person on their back. You'll need at least one other person to help you carry it and preferably three others. Reasons to move an injured person before paramedics arrive include: proximity to fire, exposure to cold, risk of flooding, surrounding violence and/or potential danger from animals. If you're all alone with an injured person and absolutely need to move them, then place a sheet / tarp under them and drag it along the ground towards safety — it's not ideal, but likely the best method. 11. **Prevent choking on vomit or blood.** Another reason to log roll an injured / unconscious person is to prevent them from choking on their own blood or vomit. People who bite their tongue or lose teeth during an accident or trauma have a significant risk of choking on their blood, particularly if they're unconscious and laying on their back. The same holds true for vomiting, which is a common occurrence when you feel severe pain and have lots of adrenaline suddenly released into your bloodstream. Rolling a person onto their side allows for all liquids (blood, vomit, mucus, saliva) to safely drain from their mouth, instead of down their trachea and into their lungs. A person positioned on their side is also less likely to bite their tongue or choke on it, compared to laying on their back (supine).

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Logroll-an-Injured-Person-During-First-Aid", "language": "en"}

How to Care for Green Tree Frogs

If you're interested in frogs, the American Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea) may be a good pet for you. Although you shouldn't handle them, tree frogs are cute and fun to watch. They prefer to live alone, so you will only need one. With proper care and feeding, you can hope to enjoy your little frog for five years. If you are looking for a simple pet that is easy to care for, or a “starter” pet for an older child, green tree frogs are an excellent bet. 1. **Shop around.** Before buying frogs, check out the specimens at multiple pet stores. Different stores have different quality standards regarding the frogs they source, and how well they care for them once they are in the shop. A happy, healthy frog will be easier to keep and will have a much longer lifespan. Look for a bright green coloring. A healthy American tree frog will be a light lime green to a dark olive or emerald green, with a creamy white to yellow stripe on their sides and creamy white belly. They will change color slightly as a means of camouflage and to indicate mood changes. Look for frogs that have bright eyes and seem alert. Avoid frogs with brown spots, dull skin, or dry skin. Extreme changes in color, like turning yellow-green or dark brown, can indicate stress or illness. 2. **Always buy captive bred (CB) frogs.** Wild caught (WC) frogs are likely to carry disease, which will spread to your other frogs. Wild caught frogs also suffer from stress in captivity, so it is cruel to keep them. Wild caught frogs may also be very old, so their remaining lifespan will be quite short. 3. **Keep only one species of frog in each habitat.** If you want to buy a new type of frog, you'll need to set up an entirely different vivarium habitat for it. Different species of frogs also have different care needs. Certain varieties of frogs are dangerous when housed with other types, which will be very stressful to your frog. Frogs are also cannibalistic so a small frog could be lunch for a larger frog. 4. **Always wear gloves.** Your tree frog does not need love and affection. These are observational animals and thus do not like to be held. A frog's skin is very delicate and the oils on your skin can be very harmful to them. 5. **Determine your frog's sex.** It isn't necessary to know your frog's sex, but the males tend to be a lot noisier than the females. If you will be keeping your frog in your bedroom, try to purchase a female frog. Males are usually smaller than females and have yellow or greenish-yellow throats. At about 1 year of age, males will begin to call. The call gradually becomes louder and louder, and lasts about 20 seconds. Females are usually larger than males, and they have creamy white throats. Females don't call all the time, although they will make a short brief response call to a male. They will also sometimes call in distress when they are annoyed by being handled or by another frog sitting on them. 6. **Quarantine new frogs.** Before you add a new frog to an enclosure with existing ones, you should keep it in its own habitat for at least three months. If your frog shows no signs of illness, infection, or parasites after three months, you can introduce him to your other frogs. A lengthy quarantine time is necessary because symptoms of sickness or parasites do not always appear right away. 7. **Buy a glass aquarium.** Your frog is native to a semi-tropical climate, so it needs a semi-tropical setup. Glass aquariums work best because they are easy to clean and the frogs are clearly visible from outside. You will need to buy an aquarium with no less than a 10 gallon capacity. If you want to go larger, your frog will appreciate it. Try to find an enclosure that is taller than it is wide, because tree frogs prefer to have vertical mobility. Add a screened lid on top for good ventilation. If you have other animals in the house, get one you can lock in order to keep your frogs safe. 8. **Place a lining (substrate) over the bottom of the enclosure.** Artificial substrate works best, because there is no risk of a frog ingesting anything while feeding. Line the bottom of the cage carefully, making sure you don't leave any open areas at the edges where your frog can become trapped and injure itself. A good substrate is Astroturf, which you can find at hardware stores and sometimes pet stores. You can also use reptile carpeting, found at pet stores. 9. **Add artificial cage furniture.** This is your frog's home, and it will want things to climb on like logs, rocks, and branches. Arrange your wooden pieces on the diagonal, from corner to corner, and slant them upward from low to high so your frog can climb up them. Artificial cage furniture is easy to clean, and you can find a wide variety of specialized items online or at your local pet store. 10. **Add natural cage furniture from outdoors, if you wish.** Your best choices are driftwood, cork bark, sticks and branches. If you collect items from outside, you must disinfect them before putting them in your frog's habitat. Soak outdoor items in a mild bleach and water solution overnight (one part bleach to three parts water). Remove the items from the bleach, and soak them in clean water for an additional night. Allow them to air dry thoroughly before adding them to the aquarium. This should kill any bacteria or bugs that may harm your frog. Smell each item before placing it in the enclosure, to be sure the items are not releasing any fumes. 11. **Add foliage.** You can use live plants or artificial ones. Live plants can be difficult to keep alive indoors, so it's usually best to go with plastic foliage. Artificial plants are also easier to clean, and you can find a wide variety of them online or at your local pet store. Another option is to use air plants, living plants that do not require soil or water – they thrive with just an occasional misting. Just be sure to protect them from harsh, direct sunlight or heat lamps, so they won't dry out. Sufficient foliage provides “cover” for your frog, helping it to feel safe and secure. 12. **Provide a suitable water bowl.** Your frog will need a water bowl that is big enough to climb around in, because it will want to soak and defecate in its water bowl. Choose a bowl that is heavy enough that your frog won't knock it over. Most pet stores carry bowls specifically designed for small amphibians, that are shaped like little ponds to look natural in your aquarium. Be sure to clean your frog's water bowl daily – or whenever you notice it is dirty – to prevent bacterial infections. 13. **Add a heat source.** If you have a glass terrarium, you can use an under-tank heater placed under one end of the aquarium (never in the center.) Alternatively, you can put a nocturnal heat lamp (no stronger than 15 watts) over the tank, above the highest point in your frog's habitat. Never use an under-tank heater with a wooden enclosure, as this may cause a fire. Try placing a rock over the heated area of the terrarium floor, which will absorb heat. Your frog may enjoy sitting on the heated rock. If you use an overhead heat source, be sure there is a screen lid to the tank between your frog and the heating bulb. 14. **Adjust for temperature and humidity.** Green tree frogs are nocturnal, so they won't need any special lighting. However, you will need to adjust for temperature and humidity in order to keep your frog healthy and comfortable. The daytime temperature of the habitat at the warmest spot (by the heater) should be about 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and about 80 degrees in the summer. The rest the tank (the areas not immediately surrounding the heater) should be about 76 Fahrenheit degrees in winter, 78 degrees in summer. At night, you should keep the habitat around 70 degrees in winter, 75 degrees in summer. Keep the humidity in the tank around 30% in the winter, and 35% in the summer. Hang temperature strips and humidity gauges in the terrarium to maintain proper levels. 15. **Avoid placing the tank in your bedroom.** The males "chirp" very loudly at night, and it will wake you up. If noises tend to keep you awake, you may want to keep your frog in a room where you will not be trying to sleep. Females are quieter than males, but it is best to prepare for your frog to make noise sometimes. Frogs may also chirp at vacuum cleaners, running water, lawnmowers, and certain TV commercials. Males may make loud calls during a falling barometer, so your frog might warn you when it's about to rain. 16. **Water and mist your frog daily.** Be sure your frog's water dish is clean and full of fresh water. Spray your frog and its enclosure daily with water to keep everything moist and help with the overall humidity in the habitat. Frogs have permeable skin – they drink water as well as breathe through their skin. Always use Reverse Osmosis (RO) or distilled water for your frogs. Standard tap water, even if dechlorinated, will still have heavy metals and other contaminants which can harm your critters. 17. **Feed your frog crickets and other insects.** Your frog will enjoy many types of insects, including crickets, moths, pillbugs, and small dubias or lobster roaches. Feeder insects can be purchased online or at pet stores. Try to feed your frog insects that are no larger than the width between its eyes. Don't feed your frog bugs you catch outdoors, because they may be infested with parasites or full of poisonous pesticides. Some insects are toxic for frogs. Never feed your pet frog ladybugs, stinkbugs, millipedes or praying mantis. 18. **Feed your frog a wide variety of prey foods.** Proper nutrition comes from a well-rounded diet – this will lengthen your frog's life and improve its resistance to illness. In addition to bugs and other insects, your frog will enjoy other small prey animals that are small enough to fit easily into its mouth. These should be purchased at a pet store or online – it can be harmful to your frog to feed it wild bugs and worms from your back yard. Bear in mind that frogs eat live prey. If you are squeamish about putting live insects into your frog's habitat, you may want to consider a different type of pet. Try feeding your frog caterpillar larvae, such as wax worms, horn worms, and silkworms. You can also feed your frog the occasional small earthworm or red wiggler. 19. **Supplement your frog's diet with vitamins and minerals.** Lightly coat their prey items with calcium powder with D3, multivitamin powder, and minerals. All these are readily available, last a long time, and are not very expensive. Dust an adult frog's food every two to four feedings, more often for juvenile frogs. 20. **Clean your frog's enclosure regularly.** Once a month, be sure to totally clean out the aquarium and thoroughly wash the items inside with hot water and let cool before returning the items to the enclosure. Also, a regular (daily) inspection and cleanup is recommended to help remove feces, damaged plant matter, and dead prey items. If you need to handle your frog in order to clean his habitat, always wet your hands with de-chlorinated water (water from a water bottle.) The natural oils in your skin can be toxic to frogs. Avoid using chemicals to clean. When cleaning the frog's enclosure, never use chemicals. Even trace amounts of chemicals can burn your frog's skin, or even kill him.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-Green-Tree-Frogs", "language": "en"}

How to Dress Classy (for Men)

People really do notice when a man knows how to dress nicely. But how can you nail a stylish, classy look on your own? Don’t worry—we’re here to help. Keep reading for plenty of tips on how to nail the perfect outfit and walk out the door looking like a million bucks. Here are 9 tips to get you started. 1. **Wearing the same old expensive suit for all occasions will never help.** A cool pair of denim jeans with a lightly colored, well-fitting shirt followed by a lightly colored pair of Converse shoes will do the magic. This combination is affordable and decent. That said, none can say that a well-fitted Raymond suit is not cool. That's the best a man can get but it's not the only option. A great-fitting dress shirt can make a big difference in your wardrobe. 2. **A good pair of shoes can really help you look sharp.** In fact, it’s often forgotten how much a stylish pair of sneakers can jazz up your look. Most girls love guys wearing a good pair of shoes. 3. **Every skin tone goes especially well with certain colors.** However, bear in mind that there are limits; for example, a neon-colored high-necked tee with pink shorts can never be attractive, no matter what skin tone you have. Always choose decent colors. A lemon-colored shirt with a white pair of skinny trousers can be a good option. 4. **They are never cool unless you are in the pool or gym.** Don't wear them home after exercising either! 5. **Having some standard, quality basics makes it easy to dress with class.** This list offers some suggestions for clothing items that the classy guy would do well to have in his wardrobe: A pair(s) of dark, well-fitted jeans At least one good quality suit One or two ties (neither too fat nor too thin) Both dark and lightly colored shirts Trousers in decent colors Round neck and polo T-shirts A pair of good quality sneakers and a decent pair of party shoes. 6. **Accessories do not necessarily need to be expensive but they should be mature.** Ask your girlfriend or elder sister to help you to choose. 7. **Apply cologne, deodorant, antiperspirant, or something similar.** That's the icing on the cake. Even an alpha male with body odor will be found repellent to those with sensitive noses. 8. **By adding some lean muscles, you will look good in almost everything.** Hit the gym once or twice a week to keep it clean. 9. **Clean garments are always the best option.** Even an expensive shirt with a line of dirt around the cuff will kill the impression instantly. Always keep your clothes clean and tidy. The following suggestions might be a help: Keep everything arranged neatly in a dresser or wardrobe. Keep untidy clothes aside, perhaps in a laundry bag or basket. Make sections for pants, shirts, blazers and under garments. Clean your clothes yourself, as you know which parts need more cleaning. Keep all of your clean clothes pressed.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Classy-(for-Men)", "language": "en"}

How to Use Banana Plugs

Banana plugs attach to either end of a speaker wire, making it easy to plug and unplug your speaker and receiver. They're named banana plugs because they're wider in the middle of the plug, and narrower at the top and bottom, similar to the shape of a banana, and they plug into banana ports on your speaker. Without these plugs, you’d have to unwind the bare wires each time you wanted to unplug the component, and you would see the bare wire coming out of your speaker components. Even better, installing them yourself is easy! 1. **Measure enough speaker wire to go from your receiver to your speaker.** The length of the speaker wire will depend on how far apart you want your speaker components to be. When you're measuring, leave at least 1–2 ft (0.30–0.61 m) of slack in the cable. If it’s pulled tight when you plug it in, the pressure could fray the cable or damage your sound equipment. Use wire cutters to clip the speaker wire to the length you need. The further apart your speaker and receiver will be, the more slack you'll need to add. 2. **Find the positive side of the wire.** Speaker wire has 2 sides, but the appearance can vary. If your wire is black and red, the positive side is red. If your wire is all the same color, look closely at the 2 sides. The side with small writing along the insulation is the positive side. This is the side you’ll attach to the banana plug with the red mark, and you’ll plug it into the red terminals on your speaker and receiver. It’s very important to pay attention to the polarity of the wire. Attaching the positive wire to the wrong terminal could damage your equipment, injure you, or start a fire. 3. **Strip away** ⁄4–1 in (1.9–2.5 cm) of insulation with your wire cutters. Most wire cutters have a small notch inside of the blades for stripping away the insulation. Place your wires into this notch and apply gentle pressure. Pull upward in a twisting motion, hard enough to pull away the insulation without scoring the copper itself. Do this on both sides of your speaker wire, and on both ends, for a total of 4 times. If your wire cutters don’t have that notch, use the blades to gently score the wire, then use your hands to pull the insulation apart. Do not cut into the wire itself. If you do, snip off that portion of the wire and start over. Only strip as much wire as you need for it to fit snugly into the plug. If you strip away too much insulation, you might see the exposed copper on the outside of your plug. 4. **Twist the ends of each wire so they don’t come apart.** Use your fingers to smooth out the exposed ends of the copper wire. Make sure all of the wires are facing the same direction, then roll them a few times between your fingers to twist them securely together. Repeat this for all 4 ends. Do not twist the cable so tightly that it kinks up. This could cause it to break. 5. **Solder** For even more staying power, you can solder the tips of each wire. Hold a piece of solder to the tip of the wire, then touch the tip of a hot soldering iron so it touches the solder and the copper at the same time. Take the soldering iron away after 1-2 seconds, and repeat if needed. Continue until you have soldered each of the 4 ends of the speaker wire. Keep the soldering iron away from anything flammable, and do not touch it to your skin or any other part of your body. Only apply a small amount of solder on the very end of the wire. Don't cover up too much of the copper, since it's a better conductor than the solder. If you don't want to solder the wire, twisting it is fine. However, if you move your speaker components around a lot, the wire could start to unravel eventually. 6. **Make sure you have a positive and a negative plug.** A positive plug will have a red mark or ring that allows you to easily differentiate the positive wire when everything's assembled. A negative plug will have a black ring, or it might not have any markings. If you plug the positive wire into the wrong component, you could get shocked or damage your equipment, so it’s important to use the right plugs for the project. You can buy pairs of banana plugs at any store that sells speaker components. You can also find them online. 7. **Unscrew the bottom of each banana plug.** Banana plugs can come in different designs, but they should all have at least 2 parts–a prong or post with a hole where you can put the wire, and a sleeve or a screw that you tighten to secure the wire. Unscrew the first pair of plugs and set them aside, being careful to keep the pairs matched. Set the plugs somewhere secure, like in a small dish, so they can’t roll away. If there are screws in the side of the plug, loosen them with a screwdriver. 8. **Slide the positive wire into the hole on the red plug.** Feed the twisted or soldered end of the positive wire into the plug. Keep pushing it into the hole until you feel it make a secure connection with the other side of the plug and the insulation is flush against the outside of the plug. The wire has to make contact with the inside of the plug in order for the cable to work. The hole for the wire may be on the side or the bottom of the plug. If you’re not sure, check the packaging that came with your banana plugs Do not insert insulation into the hole, as this can prevent the plug from having a secure connection with the wire. If you didn’t strip away enough insulation, remove the wire from the plug and pull off a little more. If there is bare wire showing outside of the hole, cut the wire until it fits, or wrap the end of the plug with electrical tape. 9. **Place the screw into or onto the plug and tighten it.** The exact mechanics of this will depend on your banana plug. You might have to tighten the screws on the post first with a screwdriver, then fit a larger screw into the bottom of the plug, or you might slide a sleeve over the plug and tighten it down. Read the instructions that came with your plug if you’re not sure. 10. **Repeat for the negative side of the wire, then again for the opposite ends of each wire.** Attach the negative plug to the side you're already working on, then go to the other end of the wire and install the other set of plugs. Again, be very careful to identify the positive wire and attach it to the correct plug. When you're finished, you will have a total of 4 banana plugs attached to your speaker wire. 11. **Push the banana plugs into their respective ports.** You should see red and black ports or jacks on the speaker and the receiver, making it easy to match up the polarity. Once everything is connected, turn on the power to the components. If they work properly, you’re all finished! If there are any sparks or you hear sounds like a pop or sizzle, immediately turn off the power and double-check your work.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Banana-Plugs", "language": "en"}

How to Avoid Irritating an Ulcer

A peptic ulcer develops when the stomach lining or the first part of the small intestine begins eroding. Symptoms include a gnawing or burning pain in the abdomen between the breastbone and the navel, belching, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, loss of weight, and feeling tired and weak. If you are diagnosed with a peptic ulcer, your medical provider may prescribe antacids, acid blockers or antibiotics to reduce the pain and heal the ulcer. In addition to following your doctor's treatment plan, there are several things you can do to avoid irritating your ulcer and prevent future flare-ups. 1. **Take all prescribed medication.** If your health care provider has determined your peptic ulcer was caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), antibiotics are necessary to eradicate the bacteria. H. pylori is a bacteria that weakens the stomach's protective coating, enabling damage to the sensitive layers below. If you have H. pylori you will probably be prescribed what is known as "Triple Therapy." This involves taking three kinds of medication for a certain time. You will need to take two antibiotics, as well as a proton pump inhibitor. The inhibitor will work to reduce acid production. 2. **Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).** Some NSAIDs can exacerbate your ulcer and cause pain and irritation. Common drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen can make the stomach more vulnerable to acid and pepsin. These drugs are frequently found in nonprescription medications that you might take to treat a headache or muscle pain. Keep this in mind, check the ingredients and speak with your doctor about whether or not you can take NSAIDs. 3. **Be wary of antacids.** Many antacids are available over the counter which can relieve irritation and pain of heartburn and indigestion. While they might ease discomfort, they will not treat or cure an ulcer. If you want to take antacids be sure to speak to your doctor about it first as they can block the absorption of your prescribed medication, and consequently lower its effectiveness. In general doctors suggest taking antacids at least an hour before, or two hours after, you take your prescribed medication. Easily accessible antacids include magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. 4. **Avoid food that increases the production of stomach acid.** The foods which may irritate ulcers vary from person to person. Some people can eat whatever they like without any increased irritation, but this is not true for everyone. You will have to learn over time which foods cause you problems and cut them out or limit them in your diet. This also helps to prevent ulcers in the future. A good place to start is with foods that increase your stomach acid production. Patients with peptic ulcers should avoid diets rich in red meat, fried or fatty foods, and refined foods, such as flour or sugar. Be cautious of dairy foods with whole milk or cream. Spearmint, peppermint, and other minty foods seem to increase the production of stomach acid. Diets heavy in these foods can lead to further ulcer irritation and an increase in stomach acid. 5. **Steer clear of food that may irritate your ulcer.** As well as foods that can provoke increased production of stomach acid, some other foods can irritate your ulcer more directly. In practice, this will vary from person to person, but there are some general recommendations for those with an ulcer. The first of these is to try to avoid eating spicy food. The sting you feel from spicy food if you have a cut on your finger or mouth can be replicated in your stomach or intestine if you have an ulcer. The second recommendation is to avoid citrus and acidic foods and drinks. Highly acidic orange or lemon juice could irritate the ulcer and cause you pain. You should also be wary of tomato products, onions and garlic, and heavily seasoned food in general. 6. **Eat plenty of fiber.** Diets rich in whole grains and fiber-rich foods, with limited dairy, help control the production of stomach acid. Ensure you get plenty of fibrous vegetables as part of your healthy balanced diet. If you are not consuming enough vitamin-rich foods your body may find it harder to heal your ulcer. Good sources of fiber are whole-wheat bread, pasta, and brown rice. Opt for limited amounts of lean meat, and limited low-fat dairy products. There is no single recommended diet for those with an ulcer, so you should think about what food causes you irritation and discuss this with your doctor. Eating foods rich in antioxidants (blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers), flavonoids (apples, celery, cranberries, onions, garlic, and tea), B vitamins, and calcium (almonds, beans, whole grains, spinach, kale, and sea vegetables) may also help to reduce your symptoms. Continue to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day as part of your healthy diet. 7. **Eat meals according to a regular schedule.** A peptic ulcer sufferer is not advised to eat sporadic meals that vary in size. Doing so may disrupt the normal production of stomach acid, and end up irritating an ulcer. Keeping meals small and regular can help level out stomach acid. Your stomach may deal better with small regular meals than large irregular ones. Avoid eating anything at least two hours before you go to bed. 8. **Reduce consumption of alcohol.** Heavy consumption of alcohol is a risk factor in the development of peptic ulcers. If you have been diagnosed with an ulcer, continued consumption of alcohol can contribute to irritation of ulcers and you should avoid it if you have an ulcer. This is especially true for strong alcohol and liquors. Alcohol can also lead gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach, that can severely impact the amount of time it will take for an ulcer to heal. 9. **Cut down on caffeine.** Much like certain foods, caffeine can contribute to an increase in the secretion of stomach acid, which in turn increases the likelihood of your ulcer becoming irritated. Many stimulants have this effect and are best avoided when you have an ulcer. Caffeine is found in a wide variety of drinks such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, and soda, so be sure to check the label if you're uncertain. It is thought that even decaffeinated coffee can increase stomach acid production. So it may be best to avoid even decaffeinated coffee. 10. **Avoid nicotine.** Quit smoking and avoid second-hand smoke. The chemicals in cigarette smoke can weaken the stomach lining, which irritates current ulcers or may even cause new ulcers to develop. Similar to other stimulants, nicotine may contribute to an increase in the production of stomach acid, which can irritate an ulcer. Nicotine can also lead to inflammation which hampers the healing process. 11. **Reduce stress.** Although there is an uncertain correlation between stress and ulcer pain, some ulcer sufferers find that when emotional stress in their life rises, so does the ulcer irritation. A program that reduces stress may have beneficial consequences and help you avoid irritating your ulcer. Try regularly practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or tai chi. Some research suggests that a formal stress reduction program with a class might be more effective for those with an ulcer than doing it at home alone.

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How to Convert Images and PDF Files to Editable Text

Scanned documents in PDF, jpeg, gif or png formats may not appear editable, but you can change that by using Google Drive or any other software that supports optical character recognition (OCR). This wikiHow shows you how to use programs with OCR to convert PDFs and images to editable text. 1. **Go to http://www.drive.google.com.** Log on if you aren’t already. You need a Google account to use this service. It is free to sign up and use 15 GB storage size. 2. **Click the gear icon.** It’s at the far-right of the screen, below your username initial. 3. **Click Settings.** 4. **Tick the “Convert Uploads” box.** 5. **Click Done.** 6. **Click My Drive.** My Drive is at the upper-left corner of the window below the search bar and has a drop-down arrow. 7. **Click Upload Files.** 8. **Find a scanned file and click it.** 9. **Click Open.** 10. **Find the uploaded file.** You should see it in the list of files in your Drive. If you don’t see the file, make sure the button on the far-right of your drive next to the arrow says “Last Modified.” If it doesn’t, click it and select that option. 11. **Right-click the scanned file.** 12. **Hover your mouse on “Open With.”** You should see an option for “Google Docs.” 13. **Click “Google Docs.”** Your file will open as an editable Google Doc. You can download the converted file to editable file formats, like Microsoft Word (.docx) and Plain Text (.txt) by selecting “Download” instead of “Open With Google Docs” when you right-click the file you uploaded. 14. **Open your browser and go to https://www.onlineocr.net/.** This is the website for Free Online OCR, a web-based program that lets you convert files into editable DOCX, XLSX, or TXT windows displayed at the bottom of the page. 15. **Click Select file....** This will open a new window where you can search for a PDF or image to upload to the site for conversion. Note that the maximum file size for uploading onto this site is 15 MB, so don't upload a large file onto this site unless it's less than 15 MB. 16. **Select a file for conversion.** Once in the file selection window, navigate to the file you want to edit and click . 17. **Select the language and format for conversion.** In the middle of the menu on the website are two drop-down menus, the left being for the language and the right being for the format. Toggle both to your desired settings. 18. **Click CONVERT.** This will start the process of converting your PDF or image into text and usually takes a few seconds to calibrate. 19. **Edit the text in the text box.** Once the file has been converted, it'll appear in the box at the bottom of the screen. If you want to make any edits to the text, feel free to do so at this point. 20. **Click Download Output File.** This appears above the text box and will save your converted PDF or image into a DOCX, XLSX, or TXT file. This step is optional. 21. **Open Adobe Acrobat.** If you have it on your computer, it'll have a red icon with a stylized white "A" in it and can be accessed from your desktop screen. Note that you have to have an Adobe ID in order to access Adobe's OCR feature for editing PDFs, which requires you to sign up for a paid Adobe account with access to different tools. 22. **Click Open.** This will open a new window where you can navigate to, and select, a PDF file to open. 23. **Click Tools.** This is located in the top-left corner of the Acrobat menu, next to the tab, and will pull up the menu for you to access any tools you have installed on Acrobat. 24. **Click Recognize Text.** This will activate the OCR feature in Adobe Acrobat. 25. **Select In This File.** This will ensure the OCR program only converts text in the specific PDF you have opened. Click to adjust the parameters for the text recognition scan. 26. **Click OK.** This will start the character recognition process in Adobe Acrobat. 27. **Select the text you want to edit.** Once you have the Recognize Text feature enabled, you can simply click on and highlight the text you want to edit in your PDF file.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Convert-Images-and-PDF-Files-to-Editable-Text", "language": "en"}

How to Do All Your Chores Within 30 Minutes

Chores may not be fun, but they are a necessary evil. Chores keep your house from looking like a sty, and doing them regularly will ultimately cut down on the time you spend deep cleaning your home. Thirty minutes a day is the perfect amount of time to cross a few chores off your list, without feeling like you’re spending your whole day cleaning. 1. **Clean your bathroom.** Clear everything off of your sink, toilet and the ledge of your bathtub. Spray these areas down with your cleaning product of choice and then give each area a quick scrub. Return everything you moved back to your sink, toilet, and tub. Grab any dirty linens and throw them directly in the washing machine or laundry hamper. Scrubbing Bubbles is a great all-purpose product for bathroom cleaning. Allocate ten minutes to clean your bathroom. If you have time, wipe down the bathroom mirrors as well. 2. **Clean your bedroom.** Concentrate on making your bed; once your bed is made, your whole room will look far tidier. Pick up loose clothes and shoes and return them to their rightful places. If you have dirty dishes lying around, return those to the kitchen. Allocate five minutes to clean your bedroom. Save time off your bed making by leaving the flat sheet untucked - hospital corners take a long time to construct and your comforter will cover them anyway, Open windows as you go to eliminate odors and get a nice cross-breeze going. 3. **Straighten out your living room.** Rearrange your couch cushions and throw blankets. Consolidate any remote controls to one area and straighten up loose magazines and books. If there are any dirty dishes or loose pieces of clothing, return them to the kitchen and bedroom respectively. Tuck a trash bag into your pants so you don’t have to keep running between the room you’re cleaning and the garbage. Allocate five minutes to clean the living room. 4. **Do your dishes.** The most obvious sign of a messy kitchen is a pile of dirty dishes. If you have a dishwasher, load it immediately. If not, pile all the dishes into the sink and let the hot water run. While the water runs, wipe down all the surfaces in the kitchen using a rag and some disinfectant. When your surfaces are wiped, wash the dishes and load them into the drying rack. Allocate ten minutes to clean your kitchen. Empty the trash you’ve been carrying around from the living room into your kitchen trash can. If your pots and pans are scorched through, fill the pans with water and a cup of vinegar, then allow them to simmer on the stove. Remove the pan from the stove, add two tablespoons of baking soda, then scrub the pans till they’re clean. If your backsplash is covered in oil from cooking, use a damp paper towel with some soap to cut through the grease. 5. **Set time limits.** If you have more than one chore to accomplish within 30 minutes, you need to be conscious of how long it takes to complete each chore. If you have six chores to do in that time, find six songs lasting five minutes each and make a playlist. Play the playlist while you work and as soon as the song changes, switch tasks. Make sure you’ve completed each task to the best of your ability before moving onto the next one. If you have fewer chores, choose longer songs or set a timer for the amount of time it takes to do each chore. Use fun as motivation. If your favorite TV show comes on at a certain time, start your chores thirty minutes before that time. That way, you’ll be motivated to finish your chores within those thirty minutes in order to catch your show. 6. **Swap chores with a sibling.** Doing the same tasks over and over can be boring, so switching up your routine keeps things fresh. Ask your sibling if you can trade chores for the week; if they usually empty the dishwasher, ask if you can swap your laundry chore for that task. However you want to mix it up, switching chores will make the work more challenging and interesting. If you’re going to trade chores, make sure you both hold up your end of the bargain. The work still needs to get done. If you’re spending time cleaning their room, be respectful of their property. If you betray their trust, they may not want to trade chores again. 7. **Turn chores into a game.** Just because you have work to do doesn’t mean you can’t make the work fun. Turn your chores into a race with your siblings or parents to see who can get their work done the fastest. Turn on some music and have a dance party while you work. Whatever it takes to make your chores more enjoyable, do that. You can’t win the game if your work is done sloppily, so make sure to be thorough. Ask your parents to help you find a phone app that tracks and rewards chore performance. Check out Chore Wars, which gives you experience points for completing household tasks. 8. **Do your toughest chores on Monday.** Monday is the first day of the week, so your productivity and energy are at an all-time high. Use your thirty minutes on Monday to vacuum the main rooms (living room, kitchen, dining room, etc.), do laundry and pick up anything in a room that doesn’t belong there. To save time, throw laundry directly in the washing machine, instead of in the hamper. Leave the machine running as you do other things. As you start to vacuum each week, the length of time it will take to complete this chore will decrease. Soon, you’ll be deep cleaning less and maintaining your clean more. 9. **Clean your bathrooms on Tuesday.** A bathroom deep-clean includes scrubbing your toilet, mirrors, sink, and shower. You’ll also need to mop the floors, remove any debris that is lying around and change out any old towels or linens that are lying around. To save even more time, leave cleaning product and a rag in your shower and clean your shower as you use it. For bonus points, spray your shower down after every use. This will make your weekly bathroom cleaning sessions go by much faster. Cut a grapefruit in half, sprinkle salt on it, and use it to help get soap scum out of your bathtub. 10. **Use Wednesday to clean all surfaces.** Start by dusting everything, then wipe down all tables, windows, mirrors, etc. End by thoroughly vacuuming everything you didn’t already vacuum on Monday. If your floors need to be mopped, mop them after vacuuming. Always start with dusting; otherwise, you’ll get dust on your newly cleaned floors. If you’re mopping, mix a floor cleaning product (like Pine Sol) in with your mop water for the ultimate shine on your floors. Use an already used dryer sheet to dust. The anti-static will help repel dust. 11. **Tidy up on Thursdays.** Whatever is left lying around by Thursday needs to be organized and put away. If your house is pretty clean at this point in the week, use this day to focus in on a particular area, like an overflowing closet or messy cupboard. Don’t be afraid to get rid of stuff you don’t use. Donate it to charity or throw it out, but if you’re not using it, it’s got to go. Strategically place bins or baskets in each room to corral random items. This will make each room look cleaner and more polished, and will also help you cut down on the time you spend cleaning up. 12. **Clean as you go.** The more you get in the habit of cleaning each mess as you make it, the less the messes will pile up. If you make dinner, wash the dishes as you cook. If there are clothes all over your bedroom floor, pick them up before going to bed. If you allow a mess to pile up and sit, it will look much more intimidating than if you take care of it early and often. Never leave a room empty-handed. If you see something that doesn’t belong, take it with you. If your house has two floors, make a rule that you never go upstairs empty-handed; always bring something with you that needs to be put away upstairs. Institute the one-minute rule: if something takes less a minute to do, do it right now. 13. **Clean your microwave in five minutes.** Cut two lemons in half and place them in a glass dish with some water. Microwave the water until it starts to boil, then allow the bowl to cool in the microwave for a moment. The steam from the bowl should allow you to easily wipe away the mess in your microwave. Allow the water to boil while you wipe down your counters and appliances for a five-minute kitchen clean. Keep an eye on the water in the bowl to make sure it doesn’t boil over. Otherwise, it will take you twice as long to clean up. 14. **Set a timer.** The key to getting everything done within your thirty-minute timeframe is to stay focused. For the thirty minutes your timer is on, you only do the chores and tasks you have assigned. Do not allow yourself to get distracted by e-mails, texts or anything else. Work as hard as you can for the thirty minutes allotted, and when your time is up, move on to something else. Reward yourself with a treat or fun activity for completing your work. Invite friends over to help (but keep in mind, you may end up having to help with their chores as well.)

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How to Overcome Failure

Overcoming failure is all about finding it in yourself to start again. First, you must overcome the sense of failure. The failure of a project, relationship, or other goal might initially overwhelm you, but if you acknowledge your disappointment and accept your mistakes you will be able to move on. Realistic optimism will help you form a new plan without setting yourself up for failure. Remember, your long term goal is resilience: the ability to adapt and thrive. Each failure is a chance to grow stronger and wiser. 1. **Address the cause of the failure.** What happened to throw your goal off track? Could it have been prevented? Think about possible solutions you could have put into action, and what their consequences would have been. Were your initial expectations unrealistic? Try discussing your expectations with loved ones and teammates to measure their realism. If you failed to get an expected promotion at work, ask for a meeting with your supervisor to discuss where you got off track. Wait until you have moved past the first, most emotional stages of disappointment. Come in with some idea of where you may have failed, and with questions for future improvement. If you have failed to find the sort of job you had hoped to find, try reading the online profiles of people who have that job. Do they have a different educational background than you have? More years of experience? Did they enter the workforce at a different time? If you were disappointed in love, ask yourself if you were putting unusual pressure or expectations on your romantic partner. Did you understand how they were feeling throughout the relationship? Did you support their projects and friendships? 2. **Set realistic goals.** Once you have worked through the causes of your past disappointment, work on setting a more realistic goal for the future. What would you like to see happen next? What sorts of actions on your part could make success likelier? Check with people you trust to measure the realism of your new goal. For instance, if you just ran your first half marathon and had hoped to run 7-minute miles, you were probably overly ambitious. Try setting a goal for the next race that is just a little faster than your last time. If you run 10-minute miles, try running 9.7-minute miles. Train toward that time. If your previous goal had been to publish a novel by the end of the year, make your new goal more moderate. Your new goal might be to get feedback on your draft. Sign up for some novel-editing workshops, or hire a freelance editor or writing coach. 3. **Practice mental contrasting.** Strike a balance between optimistic thinking and realistic planning by practicing mental contrasting. First, imagine your desired goal working out beautifully. Let yourself envision a total success for a few minutes. Next, switch gears and imagine all the obstacles that might arise. Envisioning the obstacles toward achieving reasonable goals can make you feel energized and more capable of tackling said issues. If the goal is unreasonable, however, this exercise is likely to allow you to let go of that wish and instead focus on something more achievable. Recognizing the obstacles between you and your goals should not be considered negative or unhealthy thinking. The exercise of mental contrasting will help you learn not to cling to unobtainable goals or to dwell on what cannot be done. 4. **Change your approach.** Brainstorm ideas and select the one that seems sturdiest. Use mental contrasting to test the solution out in your head. Ask yourself if you have the resources to put your new plan into place. What new problems are likely to come up? How will you solve them? What needs to be in place before you begin? Avoid repeating the same mistakes. Your new approach should not include any of the strategies that may have caused your last approach to fail. Create a plan B. Even well-executed approaches can fail due to unforeseen complications. Make sure you re-enter the fray with a solid back-up plan. 5. **Try again.** With your new goal set, and your new plan solidified, set out to achieve your goal. Take the time to reflect on your progress as your steps take effect. Feel free to change your approach. You are learning as you go, and a natural part of this process is to adjust and tweak your approach. Whether you achieve your goal or have to try again, you will have achieved a higher level of resiliency. 6. **Feel your emotions.** When you feel you have failed, you may be overcome with self-recrimination, disappointment, and despair. Holding in your painful feelings can have negative effects on your health, your relationships, and your future success. Notice each emotion as it comes to you. Take time to name the emotion, be it anger, sadness, fear, or shame. This will enable you to work through it without turning it on yourself or others. Take time to process your feelings. If you try to fix or move past your disappointment before knowing how you feel; you may act rashly. Suppressing painful feelings can lead to health problems, such as chronic pain, sleep deficiency, and even heart disease. 7. **Accept what happened.** After the first shock of disappointment wears off, whether it takes minutes, hours, days, or weeks, work on accepting what happened. It will be harder to move forward if you blame yourself or others, or pretend that what happened didn't matter or didn't happen. Write down or reflect on everything that happened, what lead to it and what the consequences were. State only the facts, without blame, judgment, or justification. Write in a journal if you have one, or write yourself a letter. If writing is not a helpful form of expression for you, find someone you can talk to. A trusted friend or family member, or a counselor, can help you move past denial. Solicit the perspective of any involved parties who were not emotionally invested in the situation. For example, a friend might have seen early signs of a fissure in a failed relationship. If you find yourself unable to move past denial – for example, you refuse to discuss or acknowledge what happened, or look at how you may have contributed to the failure, or you ignore the repercussions of what happened – examine what is holding you back. What are you afraid will happen if you acknowledge a failure? Maybe you feel like a failure because your child has a substance abuse problem, and instead of dealing with it, you remain in denial and give her money to buy "clothes" when you know she is spending it on drugs. Identify fears that are irrational or excessive. Do you worry that failure calls your intelligence and capability into question? Do you imagine that you are the only one who has ever experienced this setback and that you are being judged? Are you worried that everyone will be disappointed or lose interest in you if you do not succeed? Reflect on the consequences of action and inaction. What can you achieve with action? What might be worsened by inaction? Maybe you feel your relationship failed, and to avoid going through the pain of another breakup you refuse to date or examine what went wrong in the relationship. Inaction might allow you to protect yourself from rejection or the emotional pain of a breakup. It also means you are missing out on the fun and companionship of dating and might be turning away from a potentially great relationship. 8. **Practice positive reframing.** Positive reframing is all about discovering the positives in any situation, even failure. Look at the situation in which you feel you failed, and contemplate different ways of describing it. "Failure" is a subjective term. Instead of saying "I failed at finding work," say "I haven't found work yet" or "I've been looking for work longer than I had hoped." Do not attempt to whitewash your mistakes, but state them without judgment, and look for the best. Another way to reframe the situation is to understand why your attempt was not successful, then use that information to try again. The only way anyone discovers what does work is by also finding out what does not work. Failure presents you with an opportunity to learn until you get it right. Consider all the athletes, scientists, and other successful people who have tried and failed, only to persevere until they achieved their goal. Michael Jordan was famously cut from his high school basketball team, only to work hard and become one of the greatest players of all-time. Try using humor to encourage yourself when you are down: "Well, I have not found a job yet, but I have gotten really good at writing cover letters." Seeing the humor in your situation helps you take a step back and see things in perspective. Humor is a key component of resilience: laughing kindly at yourself will help carry you through your greatest trials. 9. **Identify negative thought patterns.** With failure often comes the tendency to beat yourself up over it, even calling yourself names. Learn to identify some common negative thought patterns so you can diffuse them. These thoughts may include: all-or-nothing thinking ("I have to do it perfectly the first time or I might as well give up"); catastrophizing ("This is terrible. There's no way I can come back from this"); or negative self-labeling ("I'm a failure and a phony."). When you notice these kinds of thoughts arise, question them. They are coming from an a negatively biased, critical place. Instead, ask yourself, "Is this really true?" Look for evidence for and against these claims. Write down an affirmation that goes against the negative self-talk. If you keep thinking of yourself as a failure, write something like, "I am a capable person" on a sticky note and put it on your mirror. Say it aloud to yourself and you can begin to change your negative thinking. 10. **Stop ruminating over the failure.** Do you find that you cannot stop thinking about what happened, replaying it over and over in your head? This is called rumination, and instead of providing insight about what you could have done differently or ways to improve, it just amplifies your negative feelings. Try journaling to put your obsessive thinking to rest. Getting it out of your head and down on paper can give you some relief from rumination and help reveal any underlying fears. Instead of doing a play-by-play, stop and ask yourself, "Okay, what have I learned here?" Maybe you learned you need to leave 30 minutes early for appointments so that you do not show up late to your next job interview. Use mindful meditation to bring you back to the present. Mindful meditation helps you stop worrying about what happened in the past and focus on the here and now, and you can start asking yourself: what can I do differently today?

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How to Nurse a Baby Rabbit

Though a rare occurrence, you may find a nest of abandoned baby bunnies in your yard that you think you need to nurse. If you have pet rabbits, you may think the baby bunnies aren’t being nursed properly because they don’t see the mother rabbit with the bunnies. This is normal since in the wild and captivity mothers only nurse the babies for around five minutes each day. Nursing the rabbits yourself should only be done if there is evidence that the mother is neglecting the bunny or the bunny is orphaned. To nurse a baby rabbit, choose the correct formula, use a syringe, position the bunny correctly, and make sure you are feeding them the correct amount. 1. **Choose the correct formula.** The best things to feed your baby bunny are kitten milk replacer (KMR) or goat milk. You can get these items from a veterinarian’s office or from a pet store. Rabbit’s milk has a higher calorie count than other milks, so you need to add calories to the formula. Add 100% heavy whipping cream that has no added sugar. 2. **Give them warm formula.** When you feed the bunny, you want to make sure that you heat the formula. The formula should be warm, but not hot. It should be around the same temperature as what you would give to an infant. Avoid microwaving the formula. Instead, place the formula in the syringe. Then, put hot water into a bowl and place the syringe in the bowl until it reaches a warm temperature. 3. **Protect the formula from contamination.** It is very important that you don’t feed your bunny contaminated formula. One good way to avoid this is to throw away all formula after using it instead of saving what is left. If you make up formula ahead of time, check it each time to make sure it hasn’t gone bad. Look for lumps, a skin on top of it, or a change in color. 4. **Use a syringe to give the formula.** The best way to give the bunny the formula is with a syringe. This method helps get the formula directly into the mouth. Make sure the needle has been removed from the syringe. Try a 1cc syringe when the bunny is first born. Use a 3mL syringe when the bunny grows older. You can get these from your vet, online, or from pet stores. You can also use an eyedropper. 5. **Hold the syringe correctly.** When using the syringe or eyedropper, you want to hold it properly to avoid suffocating the bunny. To get the syringe in the mouth, move it side to side at first to insert it. Then move it to the front of the mouth. Make sure the syringe is pointed towards the side or bottom of the mouth, not the throat. This protects the bunny from getting choked if too much formula comes out. 6. **Position the bunny properly.** When you feed the bunny, don’t hold them so they are upside or on their backs. This is not how they would naturally nurse. It may also cause them to suffocate on the milk. Instead, keep them in an upright position. Move their head to where it’s slightly higher than their body. Make sure you have a good hold on the bunny, but don’t grip them too tight. This can make it hard for them to breathe and nurse. Feed the bunny so they’re close to the floor. This is safer in case the bunny jumps out of your hand. 7. **Know bunnies nurse slowly.** Most bunnies will nurse slowly and take their time as they eat. This is normal. Don’t rush the bunny and try to make them eat faster than they want. Instead, set aside enough time for the bunny to nurse at their own pace. Make sure to go slow with the plunger on the syringe. Let the bunny get all the formula and swallow before pushing any more formula. 8. **Avoid force feeding the bunny.** Babies often resist being fed at first, so you’ll need to be patient. If the rabbit spits out the syringe, wet the baby’s lips with milk and gently try again. Be patient and keep repeating the process until the bunny willingly takes the milk. If you get frustrated or the baby becomes upset, take a break and try again later. 9. **Make sure to feed the bunny enough times throughout the day.** When you nurse a baby rabbit, make sure that you feed them the proper amount of times throughout the day. Only feeding them once or twice a day can make them too hungry, so they may overeat when they get access to food. Feed the bunny multiple times throughout the day. When they are first born, feed them small meals every couple of hours while you are awake. Once they are into their second week, reduce that to around every three to four hours while you are awake. By the time they are at their fourth week, you may be able to spread out the feedings again. Check with a vet or a rabbit expert to make sure that you feed the bunny at the correct frequency and in the correct amount for the rabbit's age. You may need to feed the bunnies less. It sometimes depends on the bunny or the breed. As long as the babies are gaining weight steadily, you are probably fine. 10. **Watch the cues to know when to stop feeding.** When you feed the bunny, don’t feed them more than they want. You may think they need to keep eating, but the bunny will let you know when they are full. Watch the cues from the bunny. If they stop eagerly trying to get the formula, it’s time to stop. Watch the bunny’s tummy. Once it starts to get slightly rounded in shape, you can stop. They’ve had enough for now. If they start crying, it is time to feed them again. 11. **Feed the correct amount.** Each time you feed your bunny, you want to make sure you are feeding them the right amount. While watching the cues of the bunny is the best way, you can also have a general idea of the amount of formula needed each day, spread out over your feedings. Each week, you should increase how much you feed the bunnies. Newborns should get around four to five cc of formula. In week two, you should feed them around 10 to 15 cc. In week three, shoot for 15 to 30 cc, and after that, give 30 cc. 12. **Wash your hands.** To avoid spreading bacteria to baby bunnies or yourself, make sure to wash your hands before and after feeding the bunnies. Use disinfectant soap and wash with hot water. After washing your hands, consider rubbing your hands on fresh hay to make them be more appealing to the baby bunny. 13. **Help the bunny eliminate waste.** If the bunny is a newborn, they need help to urinate and defecate. This should be done after you nurse them. Take a damp cloth or cotton ball and stroke it over the bunny’s genital area. The bunny should start urinating and defecating. Continue to stroke the bunny until the bunny is finished. You should only have to do this until their eyes open, so for around two weeks. 14. **Add in pellets and hay.** When the baby opens their eyes, you can start adding in pellets and hay to their food options. Place the hay and pellets in the corner of their box or nest so the baby bunny can get them if they want them. Don’t give the bunny any fruit and vegetables just yet. Use plain pellets that don’t have any additives, like seeds or banana chips. The pellets should high in fiber. For hay, try timothy, orchard, or alfalfa hay. 15. **Determine if the bunny needs to be nursed.** If your baby bunnies have access to their mother, chances are they are being nursed. You may not see her nurse them, however. This is because rabbits will only nurse their babies a few times each day. Healthy babies will have pink skin, be warm, and appear active. Check for neglect by seeing if the babies are cold, if they are crying throughout the day, if they are a bluish color, if their skin looks unhealthy and shriveled, and if they are not gaining weight or have a sunken stomach. Try not to disturb wild nests of baby bunnies, even if you don’t see the mother. Mother rabbits don’t stay with their babies in the wild to protect the nest. If you have an orphaned bunny or a neglected, unhealthy bunny, you may need to nurse them.

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How to Get Rid of White Spots on Your Nails

Medically speaking, those little white marks that sometimes appear as dots or lines on finger and toenails are known as leukonychia. They are usually benign and due to an injury, an allergy, or a vitamin deficiency. For the most part, you can treat white spots at home with a variety of natural remedies. If white spots do not clear up, see a doctor for evaluation. In rare cases, white spots on nails can indicate underlying medical issues. 1. **Moisturize your nails daily.** Make sure you use a moisturizer on your nails in addition to your hands. Rub a nourishing hand oil or vitamin E oil onto your fingernails every night before bed. This can help your nails stay strong and healthy and may reduce the appearance of white dots. 2. **Try essential oils.** Essential oils have been known to heal white spots caused by injury to the nail or nail fungus. Tea tree oil and orange oil tend to work best. Mix a few drops of your essential oils with a carrier oil like olive oil and then rub the oil onto your fingernails. Orange oil should be left to soak for about 45 minutes while tea tree oil should soak for about 15 to 20 minutes. Always rinse and wash your nails after applying the oils. 3. **Soak your nails in white vinegar and water.** Mix one part white vinegar with one part water in a bowl. Dip your fingernails in the bowl. Soak them for 10 minutes and then rinse and dry your nails. Do this about four times a week and you may begin to see a reduction in white spots. If you have sensitive skin, use a higher water to vinegar ratio. 4. **Rub lemon slices on your nails.** Lemon has a lot of vitamin C and a deficiency in this vitamin sometimes causes white spots on nails. To use lemons, simply cut a lemon in half and rub the slice onto your fingernails. Leave the juice on for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing and drying your nails. 5. **Soak your nails in unsweetened yogurt.** Natural, unsweetened yogurt without added flavors can bolster nail health and potentially reduce the appearance of white spots. Place around three tablespoons of yogurt into a bowl and dip your nails in the bowl for 10 to 15 minutes. When you're done, rinse your nails in warm water. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice or vitamin E oil to the yogurt. 6. **Use alka seltzer tablets.** Alka seltzer tablets have been known to reduce white spots for some. Drop a couple of tablets in warm water and soak your fingernails in the water for five minutes. 7. **Let them grow out.** For the most part, patience is key to getting rid of white spots on nails. White spots will usually fade or grow out on their own with time. While you can take steps to speed up the process, sometimes you have just have to wait. 8. **Change your diet.** Deficiencies in zinc, vitamin C, calcium, and protein can sometimes cause white dots on nails. Upping your intake of these vitamins and minerals can help reduce spots. Eat fruits like oranges, lemon, grapefruits, and apples for added vitamin C. Broccoli, cabbage, kale, turnips, poultry, fish, and nuts also provide the needed nutrients for nail health. You can also try taking a multivitamin, which you can buy at any grocery store or drugstore. This can help if you have food sensitivities that prevent you from gaining nutrients directly from food. 9. **Avoid biting and picking at your nails.** You can actually damage your own nails through bad habits like picking and biting. If you're prone to fiddling with your nails, stop doing it. With less picking and biting, you may notice a reduction in white spots. If you have difficulty not picking or biting your nails, try wearing bandaids over your nails. Painting your nails may also help, as you may not want to ruin freshly painted nails. 10. **Adjust your footwear.** If your toenails tend to get white spots as well, change the shoes you're wearing. Tight, uncomfortable shoes can damage toenails, causing white spots. Switch the shoes you normally wear for roomier, more comfortable varieties and see if you notice a reduction in white spots. This is particularly important if you engage in activities like running, jogging, or other vigorous exercise. Comfortable tennis shoes are vital to your nail health. 11. **Use gloves when cleaning.** Never do things like dishes, dusting, or other household chores with bare hands. While such activities may not seem taxing, they can actually damage and dry out your nails. For optimal nail health, invest in a pair of rubber gloves for use when cleaning. 12. **Do not paint your nails too often.** If you paint your nails regularly, try not to paint them two days in a row. Nail polish can dry out and damage nails, leading to issues like spots. You should also pay attention to how your nails react to polish. If you tend to get spots after using a particular polish, you may have an allergy that's causing that reaction. Stop using that polish right away. Also, minimize manicures. Try to only get a professional manicure on special occasions if you're prone to white spots. 13. **See a doctor for white spots that do not go away.** If your nail spots do not go away with a home treatment, make an appointment to see your doctor. While usually not harmful, white spots on nails can sometimes indicate underlying problems like anemia or liver issues. Also, in the event you have nail fungus, you may need prescription medications. 14. **Take oral anti-fungal drugs if your doctor prescribes them.** If your doctor diagnoses a fungal infection as the cause of your white spots, they may give you a prescription for an oral anti-fungal medication. Typically, these medications are taken for 6 to 12 weeks and should eventually eliminate symptoms of nail fungus induced spots. Make sure you discuss any existing health problems you have before taking an anti-fungal medication. Anti-fungal medications can cause rashes or can damage the liver. 15. **Try medicated nail polish or cream.** A doctor may also prescribe an anti-fungal cream or polish that you apply to the nails. You usually apply the cream to your nails for a set period of time. This can range for a few weeks to up to a year.

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How to Clean a Bathroom Sink

Bathroom sinks get a lot of use. Not only do you use them in the morning to get ready for work or school, but you use them throughout the day. Because of this, your bathroom sink may accumulate a lot of dirt and grime. Thankfully, there are many ways to effectively clean your bathroom sink. By doing routine cleans, taking steps to remove tough stains, and taking steps to keep your sink clean every day, you'll have a cleaner bathroom. 1. **Wipe down the sink.** Take a clean, wet cotton cloth or dish sponge and wipe down the interior of the sink. Try to get as much debris and grime as you can. Make sure to wipe around the drain. If your sink is especially dirty, you may need to switch out for a fresh cloth. In many cases, it is best to wipe the sink down when it is dry, so you'll be able to remove hair, grime, and other debris easily. Wipe down the sink on a daily basis, if needed. 2. **Rinse the sink.** Make sure to rinse the sink before you use a bathroom cleaning product. If you don't rinse the sink, you'll have to contend with a lot of dirt when you spray the sink down. Turn on the faucet and run hot water into the sink. Hot water will loosen soap scum, grime, and dirt. Splash the water around the surface – including the sides – of the sink. You may need to use a clean cotton cloth to wipe down the sides of the sink with hot water. 3. **Spray the sink with a cleaner.** Choose a bathroom cleaner of your choice and liberally spray the sink. Make sure to get all parts of the sink, including the faucet and behind the faucet. Most bathroom cleaners are formulated to clean bathroom sinks. You may be able to use a tub and tile cleaner or a cleaner formulated for the type of material you sink is made of. In most cases, this is porcelain. Make sure the cleaner is a disinfectant. This is important as bathroom sinks can potentially accumulate a variety of germs. 4. **Wipe the sink.** After spraying your cleaner, take a clean cloth and wipe down the entire surface of your sink. Pay special attention to especially dirty areas and apply pressure when you need. You may need to use several clean cloths. If you need to spray more cleaner while you're wiping the sink down, do so. 5. **Sprinkle baking soda.** If your bathroom sink is still dirty after you've done a light clean, you should sprinkle baking all over the sink. Cover as much of the surface as you can. The abrasive force of the baking soda will help remove tough stains. Make sure the sink is dry before you sprinkle the baking soda. Use as much baking soda as you need to cover the surface area of the sink. Take care to sprinkle some baking soda into the grout ring around the drain. 6. **Scrub the sink.** Take a clean cloth and scrub the sink down. You may have to apply a lot of pressure in areas that are particularly dirty. Without scrubbing your baking soda into the sink, you won't be able to remove all stains. Swirl your cloth around in circles while you rub the baking soda into the surface of the sink. Consider using a regular cotton cloth. Microfiber may not have the abrasive power you need to remove some stains. In some instances, you may need to use a mildly abrasive dish sponge. 7. **Rinse the sink.** After you've scrubbed the sink, you need to thoroughly rinse it to remove all leftover baking soda. If you don't rinse it immediately, some of the stains may re-set and all your work will be wasted. Make sure to run the water until all the baking soda has washed down the drain. If your sink doesn't drain properly, you may need to wipe the baking soda out with cloth rags or paper towels. 8. **Rinse the sink after every use.** By rinsing the sink after every use, you'll make sure that dirt and soap residue are washed out of the basin into the drain. This is important, as the dirt in your sink accumulates on a day-to-day basis. Run the water after you brush your teeth, otherwise toothpaste and toothpaste residue will build up in your sink. Make sure you use enough water to wash soap and soap residue down the drain after you wash your hands. If you notice any grime in your sink after you use it, run the water. 9. **Don't wash hair shavings down the sink.** One of the easiest ways to keep a bathroom sink clean is to avoid washing hair shavings down it. Hair shavings not only dirty your sink, but they can partially clog your pipes. As a result, normal dirt and grime will build up in the basin. If you shave in front of the sink, put a towel over the sink so your hair falls into the towel. If you do wash hair down the drain of the sink, your sink will eventually clog up. When this happens, you'll have to remove the accumulated hair with a coat hanger, or use a chemical clog removing product. 10. **Avoid laying metal in your sink.** One of the toughest stains to get out of a sink, especially porcelain bathroom sinks, are rust stains. As a result, don't lay any metal in your sink. Because of the presence of moisture, metal will quickly rust and leave a stain. If you have a rust stain, take an old eraser and wipe it against the stain. If the rust stain won't come out with baking soda or an eraser, you may need to use an abrasive cleaner like Comet cleaning powder. However, make sure whatever product you use is safe on the material your sink is made of.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-a-Bathroom-Sink", "language": "en"}

How to Choose Tattoo Placement

Tattoos are a big commitment. Agonizing over which design to permanently ink onto your skin is only one part of the puzzle. First you'll need to decide where the design will go on your body. Placement matters, especially on a living, growing thing such as your skin. When choosing placement, think about things like aesthetics, how much of the tattoo you want to show, and how much pain you can tolerate. 1. **Break your body up into a series of canvasses to visualize your tattoo.** Each canvas can be called a piece. These "canvasses" or pieces are broken up by your body's joints. For instance, the top of your thigh to your knee is one "canvas." Consider each of these canvasses in turn for placing your tattoo. For example, the top of your arm to your elbow is called a "half-sleeve," while your entire arm from the top to your wrist would be a "full-sleeve." If you were interested in a smaller arm piece that would be covered by a short-sleeved shirt, you could ask for a "quarter-sleeve," which ends mid-bicep. As another example, a back piece traditionally goes from the bottom of your neck to below your buttocks. Understanding where these pieces traditionally go will help you tell your tattoo artist exactly what you want. By visually breaking up your body into sections, you can figure out which designs work best in each place. You're looking for the best small and large areas on your body where tattoos can go. 2. **Place large, detailed pieces on large sections of your body.** A very detailed design is nearly impossible to do in a small space. If you want a detailed design, you'll need to choose a larger area of your body to make the design work. For a large design, such as a portrait or a character, choose areas of skin that are easy for your artist to access without making you contort yourself, such as your back, thigh, or upper arms. 3. **Put small designs on smaller parts of your body.** For smaller designs, such as symbols, you can pick much smaller areas. You can put one on your inner wrist, for example, or on your hand. You may even prefer a more whimsical placement. Try behind the ear, around a finger, or behind the joint of your ankle. For an extra bit of whimsy, consider the forward helix (on your ear) or the inside of your lip! 4. **Choose a location based on your tattoo's shape.** Look at the design of your tattoo. Is it long and thin? Is it round? Is it rectangular or oval? The shape is important, as different shapes will look best on different parts of your body. For instance, a long, thin tattoo might look good down your spine, along your forearm, or down your leg. They may also look great going down the sides of your back or stomach, but keep in mind that their shape can change as you gain weight or if you have a baby. You can wrap some designs around a limb, such as a tribal band or the string of rosary beads. Choose an area that will allow the artist to complete the design evenly, such as the upper forearm, the bicep, or just above the ankle. 5. **Avoid taking up a large space for a small tattoo.** Many people regret taking up a large part of their tattoo-able space with a tiny tattoo in the middle. You may want to get more tattoos in that space later or a large tattoo that covers the whole thing. For instance, if you get a small symbol in the middle of your shoulder blade, you can't get a larger tattoo there later unless you incorporate that symbol into the design or cover it with an entirely new design. 6. **Pick a location that you will still like as you age.** When looking to place your tattoo, think about what may happen to your body as it ages. Are you always going to like that tattoo in that particular place? It may be fine when you're in your 20s, but think about how you'll feel in your 40s, 50s, or 60s+. You may want to place your tattoo so it's not as susceptible to your body's aging process. For instance, you're less likely to gain weight on the backs of your shoulders than you are on your stomach. In fact, stretch marks from having children may obscure the tattoo completely. Therefore, your shoulder blade may be a better option. Similarly, you're not likely to gain much weight in your wrists or feet, so they may be a good option. Even though your feet may occasionally swell or can get bigger, tattoos usually maintain their shape. 7. **Get your tattoo on the front of your body if you want to be able to easily see it.** Some people love being able to see their tattoo all the time, and some people don't. If you do, place it somewhere you can see it without a mirror, such as your belly, breasts, arms, or legs. If not, place it somewhere you can only see if you look in a mirror. For an in-between option, pick a place that you can see without a mirror but that can be covered with clothing. 8. **Try a spot that you can hide or reveal depending on your outfit.** You may want to show off your tattoo and place it somewhere people can see it all the time. On the other hand, you may want the option to hide it at times by picking a different piece of clothing. If you want to be able to hide it, choose a place where you have that option. For instance, if you have a tattoo on the trapezius muscles between your neck and shoulders, you can cover it up with a collared shirt or choose a shirt with a low neckline to show it off. You may also be able to do this with tattoos on your thighs, upper arms, back, and your feet. 9. **Try a "peekaboo" tattoo for a fun placement.** These tattoos are placed in areas that are commonly not very visible to the casual observer, but may reveal themselves as you move, such as behind your ear, inside your lip, on the webs of your fingers, or on the inside of your upper arm. You can also try your upper chest, lower back, collarbone, or behind your ankle joint. 10. **Hide delicate colorful tattoos from the sun.** Tattoos will fade over time, and the sun speeds up the process. If you want a tattoo with a lot of color, then it's best to place it where it can be hidden by clothing. That way, the sun can't get to it as much, keeping it from fading as quickly. The sun also makes your skin age faster, which can decrease the beauty of your tattoo. Protect both your skin and your tattoo colors with a broad spectrum sunscreen. 11. **Place your tattoo in a discreet place if you need to hide it for a job.** If you are worried about hiding your tattoo at your job or from certain people, then put it somewhere that's easily hidden. The torso area is a good option for a hidden tattoo, as you can easily cover up this area as needed. You could also try your upper thigh, shoulder blade, back, or side, as those areas are usually hidden by professional clothing. 12. **Aim for "meatier" areas like the thigh or biceps for the least pain.** If it's your first tattoo, these 2 places may be a good choice. They tend to be less painful than other areas because of the muscle. The forearm or back of the shoulder is also a good choice. However, you may want to skip the inside of the upper arm if you have a low pain tolerance, as it has too many nerve endings to be very comfortable. 13. **Consider the calves or shoulder for pain in the lower- to mid-range.** These areas still provide quite a bit of muscle for the needles to hit. They have a bit more bone than the thighs or biceps, but they still have more cushion than other areas. The wrists also fall into this range, but they are slightly more painful. 14. **Avoid bony areas to decrease the pain.** Bony areas, such as your feet, hands, ribs, knees, and elbows, are all going to be more painful. A tattoo is going to hurt, unfortunately, but if you get a tattoo in one of these areas, it's likely to hurt more. These areas hurt because you don't have as much flesh between the needle and the bone. However, you might prefer to start with these areas to set your pain tolerance at a high level. 15. **Talk to your tattoo artist about your pain tolerance.** The tattoo artist is going to know which areas hurt the most. If you're especially sensitive to pain, ask the artist about good places for you to get a tattoo.

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How to Grow Tulips in Pots

Tulips make for a beautiful indoor or outdoor potted plant that can bloom yearly if planted and cared for correctly. To grow tulips in pots, you’ll need the right pot, soil, and approach. Because tulips need to be dormant for 12-16 weeks before they can bloom, you'll need to expose them to cool temperatures to replicate the weather in the fall. If done properly, your tulips will bloom in the spring or summer and can make a beautiful addition to your decor. 1. **Use a pot that's at least 8.5 inches (22 cm) in diameter with drainage holes.** Your pot should be anywhere from 6.5–18 inches (17–46 cm) deep. It's important that the pot you get has drainage holes in it. Larger pots will be able to hold more tulip bulbs, which will create a fuller pot of flowers. You can purchase plastic, ceramic, or terracotta pots to plant tulips. A 8.5 inch (22 cm) pot can hold anywhere from 2-9 tulip bulbs. A pot that is 22 inches (56 cm) in diameter will be able to hold approximately 25 medium-sized tulip bulbs. Drainage holes are important so that water doesn’t pool on the bottom of the pot and rot the bulbs. 2. **Fill the pot halfway with a perlite and vermiculite potting mix.** Purchase a porous, fast-draining soil from a home and gardening store or online. Perlite and vermiculite potting mixtures are great mediums for tulips. Work outside and carefully pour the bag of potting mix into the pot. Potting soil is often better than the soil you can get in your yard or garden because it will retain moisture better, it’s filled with nutrients that promote growth, and it will have better drainage. 3. **Push the bulbs into the soil, spacing the bulbs 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart.** Place the bulbs up against the inside edge of the pot first, then move your way towards the center of the pot. Push the flat side of the bulbs deep enough into the soil to hold them in place. The pointed end of the bulb should be facing up. Planting more bulbs will result in more flowers, but it will increase the competition for nutrients and water. If you’re crowding the bulbs, be sure to water and apply fertilizer regularly. 4. **Cover the bulbs with 5–8 inches (13–20 cm) of soil.** Use the same potting soil that you used before to completely cover the bulbs. If you are putting the pots in an area that may be open to animals like squirrels, you can attach a wire grid over the top of the pots to prevent them from eating the bulbs before the tulips bloom. 5. **Consider adding additional bulbs for a layered effect.** If you want your tulips to be different heights, or just want more tulips in your pots, you can layer bulbs on top of each other. To do this, simply cover the top layer of bulbs with 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) of soil, then plant another layer of bulbs above the first layer before covering them with potting soil. When the bulbs bloom, they will fill up the entire pot. Cover the top layer of bulbs with 5–8 inches (13–20 cm) of soil. You can plant the second layer of bulbs directly over the first layer. 6. **Water the soil once the bulbs are planted.** Water the soil thoroughly once you have planted the bulbs. Excess water should drain out of the drainage holes on the bottom of your pot. If you are keeping the bulbs inside you’ll have to water them approximately 2-3 times per week. If you are keeping the bulbs outside and there is regular rainfall, you don't have to water them. If there is a drought, water them 2-3 times per week. 7. **Leave the bulbs in a cool area for 12-16 weeks.** Leave the pots in a spare refrigerator or a cellar that maintains a temperature of 45–55 °F (7–13 °C). Tulips need to go through their dormancy phase in order to bloom in the spring. In order for this to happen, they must be exposed to colder temperatures. 8. **Keep the bulbs in a place with consistent temperatures without risk of freezing and thawing.** Temperature changes will cause the bulb to rot. If you are keeping the pots outside, it’s best to plant the bulbs when the temperature outside is 45–55 °F (7–13 °C). If you purchased bulbs that are pre-chilled, you can skip this step. 9. **Move the tulips to an area that's at least 60–70 °F (16–21 °C).** After the tulips go through the dormancy phase, they will bloom if given the proper conditions. If you're keeping the tulips inside, move them next to a window or another area that gets sunlight. If you're moving the pots outside, make sure that the temperature has warmed up to at least 60–70 °F (16–21 °C). If it's 70 °F (21 °C) and you are keeping your tulips outside, put the pots under a shaded area like under a tree or awning. 10. **Wait 1-3 weeks for your tulips to start blooming.** Tulips should start blooming when the outside temperatures reach 60–70 °F (16–21 °C). Different species of tulips bloom at different times a year, so read the packaging on the bulbs you’ve purchased so you can plant them accordingly. Double early, fosteriana, kaufmanniana, greigii, and single early tulips will typically bloom earlier in the year. Darwin hybrid, fringed, triumph, and lily flowered tulips are mid-season bloomers. Parrot, single Late, viridiflora and double late bloom later in the season. 11. **Water the tulips when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil is dry.** You’ll want to water the soil regularly to make sure that it’s moist, but not soggy. To check this, occasionally poke your finger 1 inch (2.5 cm) into the soil and water the soil if it’s dry. If you are keeping the pots outside, only water the bulbs if it doesn’t rain for over a week. Continue watering the bulbs during the dormancy phase. 12. **Keep the tulips in an area that gets sunlight for at least 6 hours a day.** Tulips need sunlight but don’t do well in extremely high temperatures. For this reason, keep them out of direct sunlight during the spring and summer. If you’re keeping the tulips inside, place them next to a window so that they can get enough sun every day. You can keep your pots under the partial shade of a tree or under an awning to keep them out of direct sunlight. The soil in a pot will often get hotter than the soil in a yard or garden. Avoid using dark-colored pots, since they will absorb the sunlight and increase the soil temperature. 13. **Remove any fallen petals or leaves from the pot.** Let the petals and leaves on the tulips turn yellow for 6 weeks before plucking them from the flower. If the petals or leaves fall off, remove them from the pot to prevent rot to the rest of the bulb. Removing dead petals will encourage the tulips to bloom again the next year. 14. **Discard any tulips that develop diseases or are infested with pests.** If the tulips are stunted in growth or exhibit brown or yellow patches over them, it's likely they have a disease or may be infested with pests like nematodes. To prevent the disease from spreading, dig up the bulbs of any tulips that exhibit these signs of sickness and throw them away. Prevent squirrels and other animals from eating your tulips by keeping them indoors, putting a wire mesh over the soil, or fencing them in. Common tulip diseases include basal rot, root rot, and tulip fire, a fungal disease. Do not plant tulip bulbs that have white fungus on them, because it can spread and hurt the rest of the tulips in your pot. 15. **Bring the tulips inside if the temperature goes below freezing.** If the temperature dips below (32 °F (0 °C)), it could freeze the soil in your pot and kill your tulips for good. To avoid this, transport the tulips to a room that maintains a temperature of 45–55 °F (7–13 °C), such as the garage or basement. You can bring the tulips back outside in the late fall or early spring of the next year. 16. **Replace the potting soil** Dig up the tulip bulbs with a garden spade carefully, making sure not to damage the bulbs. Then, empty out your pots and replace the old potting soil with new soil. This will give bulbs nutrients, will promote growth, and increase the chances of the tulips reblooming the next growing season. If you are removing your bulbs off-season, store them in a cool and dark place, like a refrigerator, until you're ready to plant them. Use a quality potting mix with compost and fertilize it throughout the year if you don’t want to replace the soil every year. All you have to do is top dress the soil with compost just before the growing season.

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How to Introduce a Cat to a Dog

Getting a new pet can be such an exciting and fun experience, but if you already have another pet at home, you’ll need to take some precautions. Move slowly with the introductions by keeping the dog in a crate at first, then later on a leash, while the cat roams free. It may take a few hours or even a few months for the cat and dog to get used to each other, but it’ll be worth it when the process is complete! 1. **Keep the animals in separate rooms for the first few days.** You want to start the process slowly by keeping the dog and the cat in separate areas. If both animals are indoor-only, you might want to consider locking the cat in a bedroom for a couple of days while everyone adjusts to the change. If you separate the cat in a bedroom, make sure you put everything it will need in there too – like food, water, litterbox, and some toys. When you first bring the cat into the house, it's best to have the dog either locked away or out of the home. This way the dog won't jump around the pet carrier and scare the cat as you bring it into the home for the first time. 2. **Touch one animal, then let the other smell the scent on you.** Let the animals get used to each other’s scent before actually introducing them. Pet one of the animals individually, then, without changing clothes, go to the other animal and let it sniff the scent. Do this for each animal so that they can grow accustomed to the scent of the other animal before a real face-to-face encounter. It’s best if you can keep swapping the scent for a few days, or until the dog and cat stop acting so interested in the new smell. 3. **Let the animals smell each other underneath the door.** Once both animals have become accustomed to the others’ scents, let them interact from opposite sides of a door. Bring your dog to the outside of the door to the cat’s room and let them sniff each other from underneath the door. If the dog gets too wild or starts digging at the door barrier, you should remove the dog and try again another time when it has calmed down. Don’t move forward to a face-to-face encounter until both animals can smell each other under the door without getting agitated. 4. **Let your cat be in charge of how much it interacts with the dog.** During the entire process, you should never force the cat to interact with the dog. Give your cat a way to escape (something high to jump on) and keep the dog at a distance. If the cat doesn’t seem interested in engaging with the dog right away, don’t force it. Wait a while and let your cat approach the dog on its own. Don’t force the cat to interact with the dog, no matter how long it takes. Keep making slow progress until the cat feels comfortable enough to approach the dog on its own, even if this process takes weeks. Make sure the cat's front claws are trimmed, and monitor the pets while they're together. Until you're sure they get along peacefully, pay careful attention to where the cat is in relation to the dog. Make sure the cat cannot scratch the dog's face. 5. **Keep the dog in its crate and let the cat roam free for the first few encounters.** With the cat in the other room, put your dog in its kennel and lock the door. Then let the cat out and encourage it to follow you into the room with the dog. The cat should eventually get curious about the dog and come close enough to smell the other animal. If your dog goes crazy when it sees the cat, try to calm it down using a soothing voice. Encourage the dog to remain calm and use positive reinforcement by giving it treats when it acts the way you want it to. If treats and soothing reassurances aren’t enough to calm your dog down, remove the cat and revert back to the smelling under the door step until the dog is better able to control its excitement. 6. **Keep your dog leashed and let the cat roam free once they have adjusted to the kennel step.** Let the dog out of its crate, but keep it firmly controlled on a leash. The cat should be allowed to roam free so that it feels comfortable and able to retreat if necessary. Allow the animals to sniff each other. If the cat reacts poorly by hissing or hiding, this isn’t unusual. Try to let the animals interact for a couple of minutes, but put the cat back in its separate room if it seems too anxious or upset. Always keep the dog on a leash (or at least hold it firmly by the collar) to control how close the dog can get to the cat. If your dog jerks at the leash or lunges for the cat, go back to the previous step and put the dog back in its crate. 7. **Try distracting your dog with treats to teach it to ignore the cat.** A great way to train your dog to leave the cat alone is to teach the dog that it is more rewarding to not look at the cat through positive reinforcement with treats. When the animals are in the same room, try giving your dog a verbal cue (by using a clicker, or saying a word like “good”) to draw the dog’s attention. Then give the dog a treat. This will teach the dog that there are positive consequences for ignoring the cat and looking at you instead. Do this several times throughout each day until the dog loses interest in the cat and focuses on the positive reinforcement treats with no trouble. 8. **Keep the initial interactions to a minimum.** It can be quite stressful for both cats and dogs to meet new animals. Try to keep the first few introductions quite short to avoid overloading your pets. Let them see and sniff each other for a few minutes, then separate the animals again. You don’t want to create a negative association for either of the animals, so don’t force them to do anything they don’t want to do. A good rule of thumb is that the animals are ready to take the next step when they stop acting upset/overly interested in the current level of interaction. For example, once your pets don’t act interested when they smell each other under the door, it’s time to move to the kennel step. When they don’t get upset being in the same room while the dog is in its crate, and the cat roams freely around, it’s time to move to the leash step. 9. **Watch both animals’ body language.** During interactions, make sure you monitor both the dog and the cat to make sure they are doing okay. It’s normal for them to be excited, or even a little bit upset, but you don’t want the animals to get too stressed out. Some signs that your cat has had enough include pinned back ears, swishing tail back and forth, and growling sounds. If your dog stiffens, stares motionlessly at the cat, or starts barking uncontrollably, it might be time to separate the animals for the moment. 10. **Monitor your cat’s litterbox habits.** You should watch your cat’s litterbox for signs about how the introduction is going. If the cat is using the litterbox normally, then it is probably relatively happy and feeling secure with the situation. If your cat is defecating outside the litterbox, it’s quite possible that the stress of the new dog may be causing it. In this case, you’ll need to slow down the introduction process. Normal litterbox behavior means that your cat should be using the litterbox several times each day, with no accidents outside the box. Make sure that the dog cannot get into the cat's litterbox. It should also not be able to trap the cat in the litterbox area. 11. **Use positive reinforcement.** You want to make the introduction experience as pleasant as possible so that both animals will associate the new pet with something happy or enjoyable. Try to give the cat and the dog treats during the introduction process, especially if they are behaving calmly. You should also use a soothing voice and stroke the cat during the introductions. Another person should do the same to the dog. This will also help to create a positive association with the other animal. 12. **Use a baby gate to give the cat an escape option.** You might want to consider using a baby gate to partition off part of the house. This way, the cat can jump over the gate and go relax in parts of the house that are inaccessible to the dog. At the very least, make sure there are some tables, counters, or high shelves that your cat can jump on to escape from the dog if necessary. This will allow both animals to have the space they need as well as giving your cat the freedom to choose how much or how little it interacts with the dog. 13. **Spray the dog with water if it refuses to get along with the cat.** Spraying the dog with water is a counter conditioning strategy that will help the dog learn that being mean to the cat is not allowed. When the dog misbehaves, simply spray it with water. Over time, it will start to avoid those behaviors. For example, spray the dog if it nips at the cat. Alternatively, you could use a halti or gentle leader collar or a behavior correcting collar.

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How to Make Legs Bigger (for Women)

Are your legs so skinny you get comments every time you wear shorts? Getting bigger, more shapely legs can take a while, since legs that are naturally skinny tend to stay that way and can become even smaller with age. The good news is you can add some inches by doing a series of leg exercises and eating plenty of calories to fuel muscle growth. If all else fails, you can also create the illusion of having bigger legs using a few style tricks. Read on to learn more about how to make skinny legs bigger. 1. **Focus less on cardio.** When your aim is to get bigger legs, running, power walking, and swimming aren’t going to do you many favors. These exercises use your energy stores to keep you moving for a long period of time. That means that you’ll have less left over to focus on high-intensity muscle building. Try substituting cardio exercises that can help build leg muscle like uphill cycling or hiking up hills. 2. **Eat more food.** If you're on a diet, you're going to have trouble building leg muscle. In fact, you won't build muscle unless you take in plenty of calories to feed muscle growth in your legs. This doesn't mean you should go wild and eat everything you want, but when your aim is to get bigger legs, getting more calories is essential. Eating 3 regular meals plus snacks filled with high quality foods will also help you gain some healthy weight, adding shape and definition to your legs. Fill up on the following healthy foods: Eat a lot of protein. Protein is essential to building healthy muscles, so you need to be taking it in at every meal. You can eat lean beef, pork, poultry, fish, seafood and lamb, or if you’re a vegetarian, tofu, beans, and eggs. Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and nuts are also essential. These should be the mainstay of your diet. Avoid empty calories like processed sugars and flours, fast food, cakes, cookies, chips, and other snack foods that will make you feel run down instead of energized. Try supplements. Some people find that they can accelerate the process of muscle growth by taking supplements like creatine, a powder that supplements the body with a naturally-occurring acid that builds muscle. Creatine is considered to be safe in doses of 5 grams per day. 3. **Do weight training.** Weight training exercises focus your body's energy on the particular muscle you're working out, breaking down the fibers so they can build back up bigger and stronger. Doing weight training exercises focused on the legs will lead to the shapely legs you desire. The ideal weight for the various exercises you are doing is 75% to 85% of your maximum 1 rep weight. Find the heaviest weight you can successfully complete 1 rep with, and then scale it back to 75%. 4. **Do intense workouts.** Your leg muscles are used to carrying your body (and whatever else you’re holding) up and down stairs and everywhere else you go throughout the day. To make these muscles grow, you need to focus on doing workouts more intense than those you might design for parts of your body that don’t get as much exercise. That means every workout you do should get your heart rate up and cause the muscles in your legs to “burn,” so to speak. You need to break down the fibers and have them build back up stronger and bigger. For each exercise, lift as much weight as you can lift using the correct form for 10 reps. If you can lift the weight easily for 15 reps, it’s too light. If you can’t lift it more than a few times without needing to stop, it’s too heavy. Add more weight after a few weeks to keep up the intensity. Use explosive bursts of energy, rather than slowly going through the motions. Exercising explosively builds the muscle fibers of the legs. Be slow on the eccentric motion, then explosive on the contraction. 5. **Rotate muscle groups.** Don’t work out the same group of muscles day in and day out. If you’re focusing on your calves one day, do an intense workout on your quads the next. This way your muscles get a chance to rest and get stronger in between workouts. It also keeps you from plateauing by keeping your muscles in a state of "shock,” putting them through the process of breaking down and building back up every stronger. If you do a hard workout that includes squats, box jumps, and leg curls one week, switch to stiff-legged deadlifts, lying leg curls and lunges the next week. Adding weight is another way to keep from plateauing. Add more every two weeks or so. 6. **Wear flared pants.** These hug the thighs but flare out at the knee, making the lower leg look larger and adding flattering shape to the leg line. You don’t have to go for bell bottoms, unless you like that look. Even a slight flair will change your silhouette and make your legs look a little bigger. 7. **Avoid skinny pants.** These are designed to make your legs look like matchsticks, so you’ll want to stay away from them if your goal is to have bigger legs. If you absolutely must buy skinny pants or jeans, look for some with whiskering around the thigh and knee areas. Whiskering breaks the leg line and creates the illusion that your legs are bigger. 8. **Look for patterned tights and pants.** Go for floral, striped, polka-dotted, or tye-dyed tights and pants - the more colors, the better. When you wear patterned fabrics on your legs, they leave more of a visual impression. Wearing dark, solid colors, on the other hand, can make your legs look thin and small. 9. ** Wear knee-high boots** Boots that come up to the knee can completely change the way your lower legs look. Choose slouchy, thick boots instead of skin-tight boots. Wear them over jeans or tights to give your legs a fuller appearance. Wearing boots over pants adds a little bulk to your legs. Try wearing knee-highs over a pair of jeans for a fashionable look. 10. **Wear skirts and dresses that hug your body.** If you wear skirts and dresses that are loose and billowy, your legs will look smaller by contrast. Wearing skirts and dresses that are cut a bit closer won't make it look like your legs are being swallowed by fabric. 11. **Wear dresses and skirts that fall just above the knees.** Wearing hemlines that fall an inch or two above the knees will make your legs look less small. Wearing very short skirts and dresses draws attention to your legs, while wearing hemlines that fall below the knees can emphasize the contrast between your skinny legs and the fabric you're wearing. 12. ** Do squats** This is the single best exercise you can do to help fill out your thighs, since it engages the most muscle fibers in the area. If you're a beginner you can do squats without weights. For more advanced athletes, hold a barbell bearing weight you can lift for 10-12 reps. If you’d prefer not to use a barbell, you can use two dumbbells instead. Here's how to correctly do a squat: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees and squat, lowering your bottom until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Keep your knees aligned right above your toes. Hold the position for 10 seconds. Push back up to starting position. Repeat 10-12 times for 3 sets. 13. ** Do walking lunges** Do sets of 10-15 reps for each leg. Start with one set and build up to 3 or 4 sets. Try holding dumbbells at your sides to add resistance and help build more muscle. These work your glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings, and over time they can help you build muscle to make your legs fill out. Take a big step forward with one foot. As you step, drop your back knee toward the floor. Keep your torso perpendicular to the floor. Rise into starting position and lunge with your other foot. 14. **Do box jumps.** This is another great exercise you can do with minimal equipment, and it’s great for getting bigger calves. Stand in front of an exercise box or step that you can easily jump upon. The taller the box, the more difficult it will be. Start with toes pointed toward the box. Jump explosively and land on the box with the balls of your feet. Jump back down to the floor. Repeat. Be sure the box you use is heavy enough that it won’t slide when you land on it. It’s not a good idea to use dumbbells when you do box jumps; you might need your hands to catch yourself if you trip. 15. **Do leg extensions.** For this exercise you will need a leg extension machine, which is standard in any gym with a weight room. Start with weights that provide light resistance and go for the burn. Sit on the leg extension machine with your knees bent and your feet under the lower bar. Extend your leg, keeping a slight bend at your knee even at the peak of the motion, then lower it. Repeat 10 - 12 times for 3 sets. 16. **Do standing leg curls.** This is another exercise that requires a machine to complete. You'll need to use a leg curl machine that allows you to lift weights by attaching a cable to your ankle. Load the machine with as much weight as you can lift for 10 reps, between 20 and 50 pounds (or more). Attach the cable to your ankle with the harness and grab the support bar with your hands. Bend your knee toward your behind as you lift, then straighten your knee again. Repeat 10-12 times for 3 sets, then switch to the other leg.4 17. **Do stiff-legged deadlifts.** This exercise focuses on your hamstrings, essential for building more sculpted legs. You’ll need a barbell loaded with weight you can lift for 10 reps without needing to stop. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, and hinge forward at the hips. Bend the knees as much as you need to to pick up the weight, then straighten the legs until you have a slight bend at the knee. From there, tighten your abs and with a completely straight back, lift your torso back upright while contracting the muscles of your buttocks and the backs of your thighs. Grasp the barbell with your hands. Keeping your legs straight, lift the barbell to your thighs, then lower it back to the floor. Repeat for 3 sets of 10-12 reps.

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How to Write a Persuasive Public Speech

Public speaking is something many people fear, and when you must speak persuasively, the pressure is even greater. Many people aren’t sure where to start when they need to write a speech. Fortunately, if you choose a topic you’re passionate about and prepare yourself properly, you too can deliver a powerful and engaging speech. 1. **Choose a compelling topic.** If you have the freedom to choose your own topic, make sure you choose a compelling and interesting subject to talk about. The topic should be important to you but not so important that you can’t keep your composure while speaking. If you’re having trouble choosing something to talk about, consider a controversial topic. A controversial topic, such as abortion or the gender wage gap, will generate a lot of interest and conversation. For example, if your school recently adopted school uniforms, you could write a compelling persuasive speech in favor of the new policy. 2. **Research the pros and cons.** Before you start writing you need to completely understand your topic. Do some research and find out why people might agree with your argument and why people might disagree. Keep track of your research in a notebook so that you can easily refer to your notes when writing the speech. For example, adopting a school uniform can reduce the distractions that students face at school. However, it can be a financial burden for parents who can’t afford to buy lots of new clothes for their children. 3. **Know your audience.** Think about the point of view of the audience you’ll be speaking to. Will the majority of the audience agree or disagree with your position? Identify the obstacles that your audience may have with your argument and research ways to address them. It’s better to mention negative aspects of your topic and explain them than to ignore them completely. For example, if a parent is worried that providing school uniforms for their children would become a financial burden, you could point out that uniforms are more cost effective in the long run. 4. **Engage your audience with local examples.** Research or find examples of your topic from local sources. Most people are more likely to empathize with other people that are in similar situations. Real-life hardships of someone in their community will be more meaningful to them than a hypothetical person’s hardships. This is especially important if you’re arguing an unpopular point. If you were trying to convince a room full of angry parents that school uniforms are in the best interest of their child, you could mention the ways in which the uniforms have benefitted a particular member of the community. 5. **Write an outline.** This is an important step that many amateur writers skip. It’s much easier to write cohesively if you have a plan. The outline doesn’t have to be detailed; it can be as simple as a list. For example, you could have a list of arguments for your topic followed by a list of disproved arguments against your topic. The more time you spend on research and outlining, the less time you’ll have to spend writing the speech. Writing is much easier if you’ve prepared yourself properly. 6. **Set a goal.** This can also be called a “thesis.” Before you begin writing, figure out what your goal is. Write it out in big letters on a page of scrap paper so that you’ll see it often. Whenever you’re writing, you should be writing to achieve that goal. This will help cut down on wordiness and stop you from going off-topic. For example, your goal might be to convince elementary school parents that a school uniform would benefit their children. Everything you would write would need to be relevant to this goal. 7. **Write how you would talk.** Don’t write so formally that you sound strange. Inversely, don’t write so informally that you sound insincere. Write as if you were having a serious conversation with someone you respect such as a teacher or a parent. You wouldn’t use overly wordy, flowery speech, but you also wouldn’t use bad grammar or slang. Read out loud as you write. This technique will help show you how your speech sounds to an audience. Any awkward phrases will be easy to spot. 8. **Introduce your audience to your point of view.** This is especially important if the majority of your audience disagrees with your point of view. Begin by emphasizing your common ground with your audience to create empathy. Next, slowly work towards more divisive claims, making sure to relate these claims to the common ground you share. This will help convince your audience that your argument is correct. If you were arguing in favor of school uniforms, you might say, “Buying new clothes is expensive. I certainly can’t afford to buy as much as I’d like. However, when you have less types of clothing to buy, you save money in the long run. 9. **Use evidence and empathy .** Evidence is a powerful motivator. If you can prove your point of view through carefully researched statistics, you’re more likely to sway your audience in your favor. However, empathy is even more powerful when persuading others. If you can make a person feel empathy through real-life examples, you can usually sway them to your point of view. For example, to prove that school uniforms are beneficial for students, you might write about the personal experiences of a student who has benefitted from the new uniform policy. 10. **Help your audience visualize your point of view.** Think of your speech as a story that will illustrate your argument. Include phrases that paint a compelling picture of your topic. For example, instead of saying “School uniforms reduce distractions for students,” say “Many students at L.B.J. Elementary are finding it easier to focus in class without the distracting fashion choices of their peers.” Tell the audience why they should care. While you’re helping them visualize your point of view, it’s important to remind them of the reasons they should agree with you. 11. **Write the conclusion and introduction last.** Your introduction should clearly state your position and explain your logical process. Therefore, it’s best to write this section last so that you can adequately introduce your entire argument. Your conclusion should be very similar to your introduction. Don’t present any new information in your conclusion; if it’s important enough to mention, it should be included in the body of your speech. As a reminder, the “body” of a speech or paper refers to the writing between the introduction and the conclusion. Try to include a “hook” in your introduction, or a sentence that is compelling and strongly worded. For example, you might write, “Many parents are against the new uniform policy. They wouldn’t be against it if they knew how beneficial it was to our students.” 12. **Memorize your speech.** You don’t have to recite it word-for-word. However, if you know your speech well it will be easier to deliver, especially if you get nervous on stage. Additionally, reciting a speech from memory looks more professional than reading it from a piece of paper. If you are worried about forgetting your speech you can carry notecards with key phrases written on them to help jog your memory. Rehearse your speech. You can do this in front of a mirror or in front of a small audience of family and friends. The more you practice the better your speech will be. If you’re really worried about forgetting your speech, copy your speech word-for-word onto your notecards. Use one sentence per notecard and write in large letters. 13. **Speak clearly and slowly.** You should speak slowly enough that everyone in the audience can understand what you’re saying. Many people speak more quickly when they get nervous. If you find yourself doing this, take a deep breath and pace yourself. You don’t want to rush through your speech. Don’t worry if you fumble over a few words. Your audience will be forgiving if you make a mistake. The important thing to do is to finish giving the speech. 14. **Make eye contact with your audience.** When you make eye contact with another person you are showing that you’re confident and calm. You want your audience to see you this way as well. If you are confident when you speak, they are far more likely to take your arguments seriously. If you’re reading off of notecards or an outline, make sure to look up frequently. If you’re really nervous, stare over the audience. Find a spot on the wall over everyone’s heads to look at. Your audience will think that you’re making eye contact. 15. **Keep it short.** It’s better to have a short, to-the-point speech than one that’s long and rambling. Most people have relatively short attention spans; if you speak longer than thirty minutes, you may lose their interest. Try to be concise with your writing to keep your speech short and manageable. The Gettysburg Address is a good example of a short concise speech with less than three hundred words.

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How to Take Care of an Aquatic Frog

Aquatic frogs are fun, low-maintenance animals, ideal for someone who doesn't have a lot of time on their hands but would still love to have a pet. As an added bonus, the frogs fit into small places, ideal for the home with little space. Their care requirements are simple, although they are very different from those of fish. 1. **Use a 10 gallon (38 L) tank that is no more than 12 in (30 cm) deep.** Your frog will need enough space to move around with ease. If you have more than one frog, you will need an extra 1 gallon (3.8 L) per frog. The more space, the better. Aquatic frogs, especially dwarf frogs, are not particularly strong swimmers, but they do need to come up to the surface of the water to breathe regularly. Anything deeper than 12 inches (30 cm) will make it too difficult for your frog to surface. If the tank is crowded, it will not only cause stress to your frogs, but it will also mean you will have to clean the water more often. 2. **Install a tank cover with no openings.** Aquatic frogs like to jump. If there are any openings in the top of your tank, they may jump out of your tank. Aquatic frogs will die if they are outside their water habitat for more than 15-20 minutes. Even small openings in the tank lid for filters or air lines may be big enough for your frog to hop through. Be sure you get a lid that has covers for any unused holes, or buy the covers separately. Some aquarium covers come with plastic on the back side where you can cut small openings for any wires or tubing that needs to go into the tank. Cut the holes so they fit the wires or tubes very snugly so the frogs won’t be able to get out that way. 3. **Give your frogs a variety of hiding places.** Aquatic frogs feel more happy and secure if they have somewhere to hide. Use aquarium decorations or shelters specifically designed for aquatic frogs. You can also use live plants or soft artificial ones. Try using unpainted clay flower pots lying on their side in the tank. This is a perfect hiding place for your frogs, and it’s an easy and budget-friendly solution for you. Don’t use anything in the tank that is painted or glazed. Some of the chemicals can leach out into the water and poison your frogs. 4. **Add a standard aquarium light.** Aquatic frogs don’t need fancy basking lights like reptiles do. However, they do need regular periods of light and dark to mimic their natural outdoor habitats. You can buy a regular aquarium light and a timer set to give the frogs 10 hours of light per day. LED aquarium lights are long lasting and energy-efficient. While most tank plants will thrive under LED lights, if you have a more exotic plant, like Ammannia crassicaulis or other plants that require high lighting to thrive, check with your local aquarium supplier to find out if you might need to get a special plant light to keep it happy. 5. **Keep the frogs comfortable by heating the water to at least 75 °F (24 °C).** Aquatic frogs prefer a water temperature around 78 °F (26 °C). You can either always keep the room where the frogs live at 80 °F (27 °C) or find an aquarium heater at your local pet store or aquarium specialist. Many aquarium heaters attach to the inside of the aquarium and must stay fully submerged in the water. If you want to free up more space inside your aquarium for plants and inhabitants, get an in-line external heater that sits on the outside of the tank. It’s also a good option if you have a lot of plants in your tank. The submersible heaters are not as effective at circulating the warmth in a heavily planted space. 6. **Use an aquarium filter for fewer water changes.** A filter will help keep the water clear and balanced. With a water filter, you will only need to change the water when the nitrate levels get too high. Aquatic frogs are very sensitive to noise. Because of this, filters that sit inside the tank can be far too loud for them. Use an external canister filter instead. Find it at your local aquarium supply store. Place noise-absorbing padding under the filter to reduce the vibration and noise in the tank itself. Be sure your frogs’ legs can’t get sucked into the inlet slots or holes for the filter. If in doubt, find an intake sponge at your local aquarium supply and place it over the intake hole. 7. **Add an aerator, especially if there are fish in the tank.** Because frogs come up to the surface for air, they don’t absolutely need an aerator, but installing one will keep your tank water healthy by encouraging good bacteria to thrive. It is also necessary if you have fish or shrimp or any other creatures breathing with gills living in the tank. Buy a standard air pump and an air stone at your local aquarium supplier. An aerator can also be a source of entertainment for your frogs. Many of them like to play with the air bubbles. The hum of the air pump can irritate the frogs’ sensitive ears. Try to isolate the pump by hanging it from a nail in the wall so it doesn’t touch the wall or the side of the tank. 8. **Fill the tank with conditioned water.** Put room temperature, non-chlorinated water into the tank. Fill the tank until it is three quarters (3/4) full. Attach and activate your lights, heater, and aerator. If you are using spring water that you know has no chlorine or chloramines, all you will need to do is add a starter bacteria additive. Find one at your local aquarium supplier for small aquatic habitats. This will introduce healthy bacteria to your water and make it ready for the frogs. Use a dechlorinator to remove any chlorine or chloramine from the water, both of which are harmful to frogs. If don’t have a dechlorinator and you know for sure that your water only has chlorine (and not chloramine), you can let your tank sit undisturbed for 48 hours to let the chlorine evaporate before adding your frogs. 9. **Add a substrate to make your tank more attractive.** Frogs don’t need to have anything covering the bottom of the tank, but it can be visually appealing. Buy a colorful aquarium gravel in a color that contrasts with your frogs so you can see them better. If you do use a substrate, buy an aquarium vacuum cleaner so you can vacuum out any bits of food or other debris every week so it doesn’t get stuck in the gravel and rot. 10. **Keep clawed frogs in a tank separate from other species.** The most common aquatic frogs are the African dwarf frog and the African clawed frog. Their care requirements are the same, but the clawed frog should not share the aquarium with other species. You can easily house dwarf frogs along with small aquarium fish or shrimp. Dwarf frogs have webbed fingers on their front legs. Clawed frogs have no webbing on their front feet. Dwarf frogs are under 2 inches (5.1 cm)in length, whereas clawed frogs can reach a size of 5–8 inches (13–20 cm) as adults. Although you should never release any pet into the wild, this is especially true for clawed frogs. They are extremely predatory, invasive species. 11. **Feed your frogs until they are full 3 times per week.** Pick three non-consecutive days per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for example) to feed them. Give them as much food as they will eat in about 15 minutes. You will have to experiment a bit to find the right amount. Remove any uneaten food from the tank with a net or aquarium vacuum after 20 minutes so it doesn’t start to rot and dirty the tank water. Frogs are opportunistic feeders, which means they will always eat if they find food. That’s why if you feed them every day, they will become overweight. You can also add ghost shrimp to the tank to help you clean up any unwanted food. They are better at scavenging for food at the bottom of the tank than the frogs are, so they will find any tiny bits of food that the frogs and your vacuum or net might miss. Be sure to buy large shrimp because the frogs will eat shrimp if they can get their hands on them (and fit them into their mouths). If you are using a commercial aquatic frog food, remember to follow the dosage instructions on the label. 12. **Purchase commercial frog pellets or sticks.** Commercial foods are usually manufactured for aquatic turtles, newts and frogs. You can find it at most pet stores. Check the feeding instructions on the label for the correct feeding amount. Average-sized frogs usually need 3-6 sticks per meal. Break the stick in half to make it easier for them to swallow. Most pellets will specify 3 or 4 pellets per frog, per meal. 13. **Add variety to your frogs’ meals.** Commercial frog food will ensure that your frogs get the right nutrients. However, once or twice per week you can feed your frogs something more exciting instead of the commercial pellets or sticks. Try live or frozen brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, finely chopped earthworms, or tiny pieces of frozen beef heart. For example, if they are being fed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, try giving them a meal of commercial pellets or sticks on Monday (when they are the most hungry because they haven’t eaten over the weekend), then feed them special frozen foods on Wednesday and Friday. Talk to your local aquarium specialist to find the right alternative food for your budget and your frogs. Live bloodworms have hooks that can injury your frogs’ throats, so be sure to only feed them the frozen variety. Check the dosage recommendations on the frozen food you buy. Most come in small frozen cubes. One cube is usually enough to feed 3 frogs for one meal. Cut the cubes with a knife warmed under hot water. 14. **Place the food at the bottom of the tank.** Use a turkey baster to put the food directly onto the bottom of the tank. You may want to use a small terra cotta dish to put the food on so the frogs will always know where to find it. If your tank has filtration and aeration that results in a lot of water movement in the tank, the food will not stay on the terra cotta dish. In this case, simply put the food on the bottom of the tank for the frogs to find on their own. Frogs don’t have great vision, so they may not realize there is food for them before it starts to spoil. To help them out, gently tap on the glass 3 times every time you are about to give them food. They will learn that the tapping means they should get ready to look for food. If you have fish in your tank, it’s especially important to place the food at the bottom where the frogs can easily get to it. If you simply sprinkle the food on the top of the water, the fish will eat most of it before it gets down to the frogs. 15. **Start by feeding the frogs during the day, then switch to nighttime feeding.** Although frogs are somewhat nocturnal, they can easily adapt to being fed during the day. It’s also easier for you to gauge how much food they are eating if you feed them when their aquarium light is on. Once you get the hang of how much they eat, you can switch to feeding them as soon as their light turns off in the tank to simulate their wild environment. 16. **Replace 20% of the water and rinse your filter every 14 days.** To do this, use an aquarium water change kit from your pet store. Turn off the filter, take it out, and rinse it with some of the tank water to clear out any debris. Set everything up just as you did when you first got your frogs. Refill the tank ¾ full with conditioned water and add a starter bacteria additive. Take out and clean any accessories in the tank with tank water and a scrubbing brush. You can also use a small bucket to scoop water out of the tank. 17. **Check the water chemistry weekly with an aquarium water test kit.** Find the test kit in your local pet store or online. The kit will measure the levels of ammonia, pH, nitrate, and nitrite. Fill the provided test tubes with water from your tank, add the test drops according to the instructions, and then compare the results to the color card in the kit. Follow any recommended care instructions on the card. You can also use aquarium water test strips, which are a bit easier to use, but will be more expensive in the long-run. 18. **Replace 30% of the water if the ammonia or nitrite levels are high.** If your water test kit shows that you need to lower the ammonia levels slightly, or lower the nitrite levels, start by replacing 30% of the water with fresh, conditioned water and cleaning out any debris in the tank. You can also increase the aeration of the tank to help prevent the problem in the future. You may want to buy some neutralizing drops from your local pet store. Although they won’t fix the imbalance, they will neutralize the negative effects on your frogs and other inhabitants. 19. **Add plants to the tank to reduce nitrate levels.** Although nitrates are not as harmful to frogs as ammonia or nitrite, they still cause reduced oxygen levels, which can stress out fish and frogs. Plants use up nitrates, so adding plants to the tank is the most effective way to keep nitrate levels under control. 20. **Add baking soda to the water if you need to increase the pH.** Use 1 tsp (4.9 ml) of baking soda for every 5 gallons (19 l) of water to increase the pH. Remove your frogs gently with a net and place them in a holding tank before trying to raise the pH. Dissolve the baking soda in a little water. Add the mixture to your tank, stir it, and wait approximately 30 minutes.Then, put the frogs back in the tank. Find a frog holding tank at your local pet store, or use a bucket filled halfway with tank water. Retest the water one day after you added the baking soda. If it’s still too high, you can repeat the process once per week until you achieve the right pH level. 21. **Add driftwood to your tank for an easy and natural fix for high pH.** Boil 1-2 pieces of driftwood to sterilize them before adding it to the tank. Driftwood is like a natural filter that removes contaminants to lower the pH level. You can find driftwood at a nearby beach, or buy it at your local pet store. Don’t buy driftwood meant for reptiles, as these have often been treated with harmful chemicals.

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How to Choose an Auto Transport Company

If you want to move one or more cars from one area to another, you may choose to hire an auto transport company. However, if you’ve never hired an auto transport company before, you may not know how to choose the best one and how to avoid scammers. We'll teach you how to research a company’s services, prices, and trustworthiness, so you can make an intelligent decision and select an auto transport company that fits your needs. 1. **Make a list of the companies that offer the specific services you need.** First, make a list of the services you need from an auto transport company, then research local companies online to find the ones that perform these services. It would be a waste of time to try and contact a company that doesn’t actually perform the service that you need from it. For example, you may prefer enclosed auto transport instead of open transport. In that case, you’d want to make sure you were only considering companies that specifically offered enclosed auto transport. Some other services you might need include terminal-to-terminal service, door-to-door service, or crossing international borders. 2. **Check customer ratings and reviews for companies you’re considering.** Look at online reviews and ratings posted to business review websites including https://www.bbb.org/. Ask friends and family for their opinions of the companies as well, if they have prior experience with them. Remove companies that seem unreliable or low-quality from the list. Look for negative or critical reviews of each company and compare them to the positive reviews. This is a good way to gauge whether customers of the company tend to be satisfied with their services. Note that BBB verifies all customer reviews before publishing them by contacting the customer and the company to confirm that there was a transaction between the two. Other sites may not verify their reviews, which may not give an accurate picture of customer satisfaction/dissatisfaction. 3. **Don't use a company that asks for a wire transfer payment.** Reliable, legitimate auto transport companies almost always ask for payment in the form of a check or credit card. If a company prefers that you pay them by a wire transfer, there’s a greater chance that it’s an untrustworthy business. Note that if a company accepts wire transfers but prefers that you pay with credit card or check, that company is probably legitimate. Your main concern should be those companies that insist on wire transfers. 4. **Look for spelling and grammar mistakes on the company’s website.** Genuine companies running reliable businesses tend to take more care in avoiding these types of mistakes on their sites. Lots of spelling and grammar mistakes often indicates that the website was put up quickly by a fake or disreputable company. 5. **Check for a valid Motor Carrier Number if you’re in the United States.** The U.S. Department of Transportation regulates all auto transport companies operating in the United States and requires each company to have an MC Number. A company that doesn’t have this number is almost definitely a fraudulent company. If a company is legitimate, it will make this number available on its website or will provide it when asked. Fake companies will either hide this number or provide a fake one. To verify a company’s MC Number, go to the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Electronic Records website. 6. **Find out what carrier options the company offers.** A company can transport your car on an open carrier, a multi carrier, or an enclosed carrier. Open and multi carriers are the least expensive, but they leave your car exposed to the elements. Enclosed carriers are best for luxury cars that you want to keep protected. Nearly every auto transport company will offer open carrier transportation. However, you may need to search a little more if you prefer to use a company that offers enclosed transportation. 7. **Ask if the company offers any insurance plans.** If your personal auto insurance policy will not adequately cover your car while in transport, you may need to purchase insurance from the company itself. Never do business with a company that can’t insure your car while it’s being transported. If anything happens to the car, you may not be able to receive any sort of reimbursement. If the company offers insurance for your car, be sure to ask for proof of this insurance to make sure it’s not a scam. Legitimate companies are legally required to provide proof of insurance upon request. 8. **Inquire about payment arrangements.** Some companies require that you pay the full price of shipping your car upfront, whereas others will offer you the option of paying in installments. If you’re not comfortable with or not willing to pay the full price in advance, be sure to ask if the company offers payment plans for their clients. A typical payment plan may require you to submit regular payments to the company every month over a period of time (e.g., 6 months). Note that some companies may charge you a fee for paying in installments rather than in one lump sum. 9. **Investigate the company’s cancellation policy.** Ask if there's a deadline after which you’d have to pay a fee to cancel your reservation. If you need to retain some flexibility in your schedule, let the company’s customer service representative know and ask what options they provide for canceling or rescheduling your reservation. For example, a company may penalize you for canceling a reservation but allow you to reschedule your reservation at no cost. If the company offers you a unique cancellation policy or any other special service, be sure to get the terms of this policy or service in writing. 10. **Call or visit the website to get a quote.** Most auto transport company websites will have a button at the top of the home page that says “Get Quote” or “Request Quote.” It’s almost always free to request a quote, so don’t worry about having to commit to the company just because you’re requesting a quote. You can also call the company’s customer service phone number to get a quote. This phone number is also located on the company’s website and its promotional material (e.g., flyers). 11. **Get quotes from several companies with good reviews.** Contact each of the companies you’ve determined to be trustworthy and ask how much they would charge to transport your car. Be sure to give them all of the specifics regarding your car and how you’d like them to transport it. You’ll need to provide the make and model of your car, as well as the shipping locations and dates. Don’t agree to any offers immediately; just get quotes from all of the companies you’re considering so you can compare the offers to one another. 12. **Avoid settling for the cheapest option.** Although you may think the lowest-priced company will give you the best deal, these companies often surprise customers with hidden fees down the line. Often, the company with the lower quote gives lower quality service. It's normal to see quotes within $100 of each other. Anything lower could be a bait and switch or have hidden fees. Hidden fees may include the cost of insurance or a service fee. 13. **Decide which company is best for your particular situation.** Once you’ve gathered information on each company’s services, reputation, and price, you’re now in the best position possible to choose the right company for you. If you’re still not sure which company you should go with, contact the companies again to ask any lingering questions you still have.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Choose-an-Auto-Transport-Company", "language": "en"}

How to Train a Horse to Drive

Training a horse to drive is a fun and rewarding process! Although it may take many months and you might need to repeat parts of the training, with enough patience and dedication your horse can learn to enjoy driving and have fun with the cart. Train your horse in the basics first, like lunging, long lining, and ground driving. Then move on to working with the harness and pulling weight. Work slowly and steadily towards attaching a driving cart, so that you and your horse can gain confidence and trust. 1. **Train your horse to lunge in a round pen.** Fit your horse with a lunge cavesson and a 25–30 ft (7.6–9.1 m) lunge line. Stand in the middle of the pen, position your body in the direction that you want your horse to move, and lift the lunge whip towards your horse’s hip. As your horse moves forward, say “Walk,” loudly and clearly. Face your horse as it moves around the circle, keeping your body just behind the withers and the lunge whip at the hip. Position yourself so that you form a triangle between the horse’s haunches, its shoulder, and yourself. You will use your body position to help drive the horse forward. You moving with your horse tells it to keep moving forward. To slow down or stop, relax your body, move with your horse more slowly, and lower the whip. Say “Stop!” or “Whoa!” clearly. To start trotting, raise your shoulders slightly, move more energetically, and slightly elevate the lunge whip at your horse’s hip. Give a clear, verbal “Trot!” command. A lunging whip is only a training tool and should never be used as punishment. 2. **Practice lunging until your horse responds to every verbal cue.** Spend the coming weeks and months working with your horse to get correct and consistent responses. Ensure that your horse can walk on, trot, slow down, and come to a full halt using verbal cues. Although each command is important, getting your horse to come to a full stop regardless of the situation is the highest priority. 3. **Train with a long line to get your horse used to 2 lines.** To move clockwise, feed the left line through the left stirrup so that it wraps gently around your horse’s rear, and hold this in your left hand. Hold the right line in your right hand. Start lunging your horse normally with the lunge whip and practice each gait. To prepare your horse for long lining, tack up the saddle and bridle. Connect the stirrups together under your horse’s belly using a leather strap to stop them moving around. Attach 1 long line to each bit ring. To move counterclockwise, feed the right line through the right stirrup and hold this in your right hand. Then hold the left line in your left hand and lunge from the other direction. Keep the lines tight enough so your horse can't trip, but loose enough that it can feel the slack lines around its rear, tail, back, and legs. 4. **Practice long lining until every verbal command gets a correct response.** Spend as much time as your horse needs to train with the long lines. Check that your horse is fully comfortable with the feeling of the lines and that every walk on, trot, slow down, and full halt command gets the right response. 5. **Work your horse from behind on long lines to start ground driving.** Tack up your horse with its saddle, bridle, and long lines. Stand almost behind your horse but slightly towards the center of the pen. Keep consistent, gentle pressure on both lines and use verbal cues to ask your horse to walk on and halt. Move around the pen with your horse. Try to stay out of kicking range while ground driving. Put on a pair of driving gloves to protect your hands from rope burns in case the horse panics and starts running. 6. **Release the tension slightly in the outside line to practice turning.** To turn right, loosen the left line and keep the pressure in the right line the same. Turning left is very similar. Simply loosen the right line and maintain the same tension on the left, inside line. You don’t need to use verbal cues for turning, as the line pressure will do the communicating. 7. **Use the whip if your horse doesn’t respond to the first command.** Responding to every cue is essential for driving. Lightly touch your horse’s hip with the lunging whip if it doesn’t move on from your command. If you consistently have troubles with getting a response when ground driving, go back to long lining again to build more confidence and trust with your horse. The more practice you and your horse get ground driving, the more prepared you will be for actual driving. Spend as much time training as you need and try not to rush anything. 8. **Get a driving harness professionally fitted to your horse.** Choose a leather or synthetic driving harness. Arrange for a professional to measure your horse to find the right size. Let your horse inspect and sniff the driving harness before you put it on to build confidence. A driving instructor or your local driving club will be able to help you with harness fitting. Move the harness around near your horse to get it used to the sounds and smell of the harness. 9. **Start by walking your horse on a lead line while it wears the harness.** Before you try lunges, you’ll need to get your horse used to wearing the harness. Put the harness on your horse and take it for a brief walk, no more than 10-15 minutes. Use a short lead so that you can take control if your horse begins to panic while wearing the new harness. 10. **Practice lunging in the harness.** Place the driving harness on your horse and begin lunging as you normally would. Work slowly so that your horse has time to adjust to the new feeling of the harness on its back. Practice each verbal cue until you get a consistent response and use plenty of affection and praise. If your horse has trouble lunging in the harness, remove it and practice normal lunging to build trust. Then give your horse plenty of time to inspect the harness before trying again. 11. **Work your horse with long lines and the harness.** Tack up your horse with the driving harness and follow your normal long lining routine. Practice each verbal cue, moving slowly and steadily. This stage may take a little longer than expected, as your horse will need to get comfortable with the weight of the harness in addition to the slack lines. 12. **Start ground driving with the harness.** Long line your horse from behind with the harness on and practice every verbal command. Train in both directions. Take your time and don’t rush the training, so that you and your horse can build confidence and trust. This is as close as you can get to real driving without using a cart! If your horse loses confidence or has trouble at any time, simply return to a previous stage like lunging or long lining to get more practice. 13. **Train your horse to drag objects while ground driving in the harness.** Learning to pull weight is an essential part of driving. Attach heavy cotton ropes to the harness and let these drag behind your horse as you ground drive. When your horse is comfortable, practice with heavier weights by tying the ropes around PVC pipes and then a tire. Practice every gait, verbal command, and direction while ground driving with the added weight. The PVC pipes and tire will bounce around. This is ideal because it helps to desensitize your horse to the noise, weight, and movement of a cart. 14. **Get professional advice before you start driving your horse.** Contact a driving instructor or your local driving club. They will visit you and your horse and watch you work with the harness. Take any advice that they give on-board and don’t begin driving with a cart until you have been given the all-clear. Don’t feel discouraged if the driving professional suggests that you repeat some training. Safety is essential while driving, and the instructor just wants to make sure that you and your horse are fully prepared. 15. **Attach the driving cart to your horse once you are both confident.** Place the cart in the middle of the pen and let your horse inspect it for as long as necessary. Show your horse any noises that the cart makes before you attach it. When your horse is fully comfortable, place the harness on and attach the cart shafts to the harness. Walk alongside your horse and get 2 other people to help pull the cart as your horse moves so that it can get used to the new feeling. If your horse loses confidence at any point, remove the cart immediately. Return to an earlier stage of training to build trust again before slowly reintroducing the cart. Never remove the bridle of a horse that is attached to a cart. This is because there would be no way to control the horse if an accident happened. Never leave a horse unattended while it’s attached to a cart. Accidents can happen very quickly and with little to no warning. 16. **Enter the cart and slowly begin driving.** Begin in a safe, quiet, and secure location. Communicate with the driving lines and verbal cues like you would while ground driving. Start with simply walking on and halting, before moving on to turning and trotting. Practice slowly and steadily so that you and your horse gain confidence and trust. Join your local driving club to gain more experience, learn new skills, and attend driving outings when your horse is ready. Whenever you are in the cart, always wear a riding helmet. This goes for passengers too. When you first begin driving in more risky situations like on roads, at shows, or with other horses, always have someone experienced with you. They can provide advice and assistance if anything unexpected happens.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Train-a-Horse-to-Drive", "language": "en"}

How to Have a Minimalist Aesthetic

If you love clean lines and effortless beauty, the minimalist aesthetic is perfect for you! Minimalism is all about paring down to the basics—no clutter or unnecessary details, just beautiful simplicity. It can be easiest to get started by dressing like a minimalist, with classic pieces in neutral colors. But don't be surprised if you end up applying the aesthetic to your whole home! 1. **Get down to the basics of what you really need.** To nail a minimal aesthetic in your home, you have to be willing to really let go of some possessions. Tackle one area at a time, trying to create as many clean, open spaces as possible. Get rid of anything you don't need and sell, donate, or store the rest. Don't feel like you have to do this all at once—learning to live with less can take a long time to achieve. Stash items you want to keep in furniture with hidden storage, extra shelving, and sleek boxes, crates, and baskets. If there's a special item that you really love, keep it and incorporate it into your decor! Minimalism is about cutting back but if something makes you happy, it's worth hanging onto (even if it doesn't fit neatly into your minimalist aesthetic). Minimalism is all about having less to appreciate it more. 2. **The minimalist aesthetic tends to be very light and airy.** Pick a neutral shade, like grey or cream, and incorporate that into most of the room's furnishings, including the walls. You can use different tones of that color, if you'd like, or you can match them as closely as possible for a monochromatic look. This will create a space that's very restful and soothing—somewhere you'll want to escape to after a long, hectic day. 3. **This will keep the space from feeling too stark.** Minimalist rooms can feel a little impersonal, but you can help warm it up by adding a little color here and there. Your accent colors should complement the neutrals you've chosen so the space is still cohesive, but feel free to play around and express yourself. It's space, so it needs to feel true to you. Minimalism especially works well with colors found in nature, like green and yellow—especially if you're using wood tones and warm neutrals like eggshell. Soft blue, blush pink, and lilac can all bring warmth into a room without creating contrast. 4. **This will keep your accents cohesive.** Part of the reason minimalism is so pleasing to the eye is because you're creating a unified space. If there's an accent you really love, see if there's an element you can pull from it to use somewhere else in the room. That way everything will feel like it naturally belongs together. For instance, if you have a chair with curved arms, you might bring in a round table, a circular wall mirror, and a curved sculpture or vase. If you love fresh yellow daisies, you might include a yellow bowl, yellow throw pillows, or a piece of art with yellow accents. 5. **Texture can add variety to a monochromatic color scheme.** Play with the texture of the linens, curtains, upholstery, rugs, or even the materials the room is constructed of, like the walls, floors, and countertops. This will give the room a lot of depth, but the cohesive color scheme will still make the space feel relaxing and minimalist. For instance, you might have tan curtains and a tan rug, but the curtains might be burlap and the rug might be a thick plush. 6. **Surround your art with open space so it really stands out.** Avoid filling up your walls or surfaces with decorative items just for the sake of having them—for a truly minimalist look, you should try to leave as much open wall or counter space as possible. However, it's fine to add decorative items as long as they're intentional, like something that really complements the rest of the room or an item that's very special to you. Geometric art and sculptures, house plants, throw pillows, mirrors, and candles are all popular in the minimalist aesthetic. 7. **Replace boring fixtures with something architectural.** In a minimalist room, there's nothing competing for your attention, so everything in the space has equal importance. Even something as seemingly mundane as a light fixture can make a huge impact in the room. Look for light fixtures with unique shapes, like geometric pendant lights, recessed lighting, or architectural chandeliers. Just avoid anything fussy or embellished, as it won't feel like it fits the space. 8. **Look for well-made things that will last, and only buy what you need.** To maintain your minimalist aesthetic, it's important to make thoughtful, intentional choices about what you bring into your home. Before you buy anything, ask yourself questions like, "Do I really need this?" "Is it useful?" and "Does this fit in with the rest of my home?" That will help you avoid ending up with clutter again. Consider implementing a one-in-one-out policy, meaning that every time you purchase something, you have to sell, donate, or throw away something you already own. 9. **Get rid of anything you don't love.** Go through your closet and sell or donate anything you don't wear regularly, or that doesn't fit the minimal aesthetic. Keep just a few pieces that you can mix and match with each other, called a capsule wardrobe. The less clothing you have, the easier it will be to grab something you love when you're getting dressed each day—and that simplicity is the whole point of minimalism. Not only will this make it easier to dress with a minimal aesthetic, but having a neat, uncluttered closet will start to bring the look into your home. Since the clothing you keep will be in heavy rotation, opt for well-made pieces over fast fashion when you're shopping in the future. 10. **Try making minimalist outfits with clothing you already have.** One of the easiest ways to start experimenting with a minimalist aesthetic is through your clothes. Go through your closet and mix and match a few simple basics in neutral colors—avoid anything with embellishments, patterns, or logos. Think streamlined, timeless classics. You might be surprised what you can come up with! For work, you could wear a tailored white button-down with slim-fitting slacks and a pair of loafers. On a summer day, go with a fitted cream-colored tank top, a long taupe skirt, and brown sandals. If the weather is cool, try a grey oversized rib-knit sweater, a pair of black skinny jeans, and black ankle boots. 11. **Accessories are a great way to add a fresh twist to your basics.** Minimalism doesn't have to be boring. You can wear the same pieces in a number of different ways just by changing how you style them! Just stick to pieces that are fairly simple, with clean lines, geometric shapes, and neutral colors or metallics. For instance, if you're wearing a black T-shirt and black pants, you can add an edgy twist with a leather cuff bracelet, wide leather belt, and moto boots. On the other hand, you can dress up the same outfit by wearing it with black dress shoes and a dainty choker or a nice watch. Changing your hair and makeup can impact your style too—for the first look, you might tousle your hair, or you might wear it slicked back or in an updo for the second look.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Minimalist-Aesthetic", "language": "en"}

How to Make Black Leather Dye

Dark black leather has a distinctive, sophisticated look. If you have undyed, vegetable-tanned leather you want to turn black, you don’t have to buy black leather dye at the store. You can make it at home from cheap materials, most of which you probably already have lying around. You’ll just need some vinegar and some steel wool to make the dye, and some baking soda to make a neutralizer. This particular kind of black leather dye is called vinegaroon, and it will turn your leather a rich, dark black color. 1. **Soak some steel wool in a bucket with a bottle of acetone for 2 hours.** Place the steel wool in the bucket first and then pour in the acetone, to avoid splashing acetone. Soaking in acetone will make the steel wool more susceptible to oxidation. This way the steel wool will rust more easily when you add the vinegar. Steel wool that's graded #0000 will work the best, but feel free to use whatever you have around the house. Acetone is often sold as nail polish remover. 2. **Put some steel wool into a glass jar.** Make sure to use a glass jar, and not a metal container. Vinegar corrodes metal, so it would eat up a metal container! Separate the steel wool with your hands before placing it in the jar to make sure it has as much surface area as possible. Steel wool can be sharp when you separate it, so consider wearing gloves to protect your hands. 3. **Warm up several cups of distilled white vinegar on the stove.** Pour the vinegar into a pot and heat on the stove for a few minutes, until it reaches about 100 Fº (38 Cº). The warmth of the vinegar will help speed up the reaction. You can check the temperature of your vinegar while it’s heating by placing a kitchen thermometer into the pot. 4. **Pour the vinegar into the jar and cover the jar with saran wrap.** Fill the jar until it is almost at the top. Seal the jar with saran wrap and a rubber band. Punch some holes in the saran wrap so that gases can escape. After a few days, the vinegar will rust the steel wool. Covering the jar most of the way will prevent debris from getting in. 5. **Let the jar sit for 3 days to a week.** Every day, open the jar, stir the solution, and check the color. When the liquid has an opaque, light brown color, it is ready to use. The longer you wait, the darker it will get. Don’t worry if your solution smells bad, that means it’s working! 6. **Pour a bit of baking soda into another glass jar to make the neutralizer.** Aim for a ratio of 1 part baking soda to 16 parts water. Baking soda will make a neutralizer that cuts the smell of the vinegar solution. It will also prevent the black leather dye from rubbing off your leather and getting onto other surfaces once it has set. 7. **Fill the baking soda jar with water and stir.** Use room temperature water. The water will dissolve the baking soda to make your neutralizer. Stir until all the baking soda has dissolved. The baking soda should be barely visible in the water. Once the baking soda has dissolved, set aside the neutralizer solution. 8. **Test the dye by painting it on a small scrap of leather.** Avoid touching the solution with your hands. Check to see if the leather has a dark matte color. If not, try adding more steel wool and letting the solution soak for several more days. If the scrap of leather comes out black, the dye is working! You’re ready to use it on whatever you want to dye. If your solution has sludge on top, you can strain it through a strainer to leave the sediment behind. 9. **Dye your leather with the vinegar solution.** Use a paintbrush or a dauber to apply the vinegar solution. Don't worry if the dye appears clear when you first apply it, or if the leather doesn’t look dark at first. After a few minutes, it will turn dark. 10. **Wait 3 minutes for the dye to seep into the leather.** As the dye gradually seeps into the leather, it will turn the leather into a rich, dark black. If after 3 minutes, the leather is the color you want it to be, move on to neutralizing your leather. If not, you can apply a second coat. 11. **Apply a second coat of dye if necessary.** Again, apply the dye with a paintbrush or dauber. Wait 3 minutes for the dye to seep in, and check the color. Repeat until your leather is the desired darkness. 12. **Neutralize the leather with the baking soda solution.** Once your leather is dark enough, it’s time to neutralize the acid from the vinegar. Apply the neutralizer with a paintbrush. Leave the neutralizer on the leather for at least 20 minutes. This will give time for the baking soda solution to seep into the leather and remove the acidity. If a residue of baking soda remains after 20 minutes, dab the leather with a damp cloth to clean. 13. **Condition the leather with leather conditioner.** Put some conditioner onto a soft cloth. Rub the cloth over the leather gently. This will prevent the leather from cracking. Now your leather is dyed and finished! The vinegar smell might linger for a few weeks, but with plenty of airing out, it should dissipate.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Black-Leather-Dye", "language": "en"}

How to Treat Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease in African Grey Parrots

Taking care of an African grey parrot with Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) can be challenging for loving pet owners. The disease is fatal, but it is possible to manage your bird’s discomfort and keep it comfortable. Identify the disease by observing your parrot for signs and visiting your veterinarian. If your parrot is diagnosed with PBFD, quarantine it from other birds, treat any secondary infections it has, and maintain a consistent, nurturing routine. 1. **Check your parrot's feathers.** Keep an eye on your parrot's feathers for signs of PBFD. The virus kills developing feathers, causing them to grow in abnormally and fall out. Look for feathers that are unusually short, clubbed, or sharp-looking. Extensive loss of feathers may result in bald spots and exposed skin. Feather loss and damage can also be a sign of behavioural problems. 2. **Monitor your parrot for digestive issues.** Loss of appetite and weight loss are symptoms of PBFD in birds, so keep track of your parrot's eating habits. Look at your bird's food bowl every day when you change it, and check to see how much food has spilled out onto the bottom of the cage. Look for signs of regurgitation and diarrhea when you change the cage liner each day, which are also signs of the PBFD. Look for green coloring in your bird's droppings, which is another possible sign of PBFD. Digestive issues can also be a sign of bacterial infections, nutritional deficiencies, or other terminal illnesses (e.g., Avian Ganglioneuritis). 3. **Look at your bird's beak.** Beak abnormalities are a physical sign of PBFD in birds. Beaks of infected birds may develop sunken-in areas, crack, or fracture. Beaks may also become elongated from overgrowth due to the virus. Abnormal beak development is also a possible symptom of a vitamin D deficiency. 4. **Watch for depression and listlessness.** A bird infected with PBFD may shows signs of being depressed or listless. Observe your parrot for a lack of energy and overall activity. Your playful and curious parrot may demonstrate less interest in its toys, food, or other sources of enjoyment. A lack of energy and movement may also be attributed to anemia, a condition that is often observable in African grey parrots with PBFD. 5. **Visit your veterinarian.** Confirm that your African grey parrot has PBFD by visiting your veterinarian. The vet can run a blood test to determine whether your bird is suffering from the illness. There is no known cure for PBFD, but your veterinarian can help treat the secondary infections associated with it. 6. **Quarantine the bird.** If you have multiple birds, quarantine your infected bird right away in a cage by itself, preferably in a separate room. Remove your other birds from their shared cage and disinfect it thoroughly as well as everything in it. At the first opportunity, bring your other birds to the vet to be tested for PBFD. 7. **Disinfect the cage.** Apply a disinfectant to all surfaces of the bird cage as well as everything inside of it, and leave it on for five to ten minutes. Rinse off the cage with a hose, removable shower head, or a wet sponge. Leave it to air dry for several hours. Regular disinfectants can be extremely toxic to birds. Purchase a bird-friendly disinfectant at a pet store, or online. Opt to dispose of objects that are porous and difficult to disinfect (e.g., wooden perches) and replace them with new ones. 8. **Treat secondary infections.** PBFD will hinder a bird's immune system, making it more vulnerable to infection and illness. Such infections may be viral, fungal, bacterial or parasitic. If you suspect that your parrot is experiencing an infection, bring it to the vet for treatment advice or a prescription. Symptoms of secondary infections depend on where and how they manifest. For instance, your parrot may contract a fungal infection such as Aspergillosis, which commonly occurs in the respiratory tract and causes voice change. Your vet may prescribe vitamins, supplements, or probiotics to boost your parrot's immune system. Most birds that succumb to PBFD die due to secondary infections that overwhelm their immune system. Seek prompt treatment for any complications you suspect. 9. **Keep your parrot comfortable.** African grey parrots are sensitive birds who like routine and social contact. Keep your infected pet comfortable by changing its everyday schedule as little as possible and giving it ample attention. Adjust the temperature in the room where your parrot’s cage is kept to keep the bird warm despite feather loss.

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How to Befriend Dogs

Whether it's your dog or a stranger's dog, if you're an animal lover you will want to befriend dogs. When approaching a strange dog, make sure it is friendly. Then, strive for a positive interaction with the animal. When dealing with your own dog, spend time playing with and petting your dog to solidify your bond. Make sure you pay attention to a dog's body language. You do not want to accidentally upset or frighten a dog. 1. **Make sure the dog is friendly.** When approaching a strange dog, be particularly aware of its body language. If an owner is present, ask the owner if the dog is friendly. Make sure the dog wants to be petted. You can easily alienate a dog by approaching one that is nervous or agitated. A friendly dog is easily noticeable. A friendly dog will wag its tail and approach you to sniff you. Some friendly dogs may not approach directly, but may wag their tails and offer other signs they are friendly. Avoid approaching a dog that's looking you straight in the eyes, barking shrilly, crouching, or growling. 2. **Approach the dog slowly.** Even if a dog is friendly, you can easily frighten a dog by approaching too quickly. When approaching a stray dog, do so slowly to assure the dog you're not a threat. You can also wait for the dog to approach you so it's able to build your trust. Crouch down slightly to appear small and not frighten the dog. Only approach a few steps towards the dog. Allow the dog to approach you from there. You can try calling the dog gently. 3. **Get on the dog's level.** To assure a strange dog does not see you as a threat, get on the dog's level. Crouch down and let the dog sniff you, wag its tail, and otherwise interact with you. From there, reach your hand out to the dog. Keep your palm up. Allow the dog to sniff you. Keep your hand lower than the dog's head to make sure it feels safe. 4. **Pet and interact with the dog.** From here, you can begin petting the dog. Talk to it in a soothing voice as you gently pet and scratch the dog. Avoid patting a dog on the top of the head, as this may come off as aggressive. Always keep your hands level to the dog's head or below the dog's head during early interactions. This assures the dog feels safe with you. 5. **Pay attention to the dog's reactions.** You don't want to do anything that will make the dog uncomfortable. Make sure the dog is wagging its tail and calm the whole time. If a dog is uncomfortable, it may back away or even growl or bark. If a dog nudges you with its nose, this is a sign to stop. Dogs will nudge people to let them know something they're doing is bothering them. 6. **Spend time with your dog.** One of the best means of bonding with a dog is simply by interacting with it regularly. If you have a dog, strive to spend time with it. This will improve your relationship with your dog and allow the two of you to bond. Take your dog for walks and play with it regularly. Allow your dog to be near you when you're home. Have your dog sit in the living room with you or sleep next to you on the couch. 7. **Have physical contact with your dog.** Dogs are very social animals and respond well to physical contact. A dog that is interacted with physically on a regular basis will generally have a lower stress level than other dogs. Make sure to pet your dog, cuddle your dog, and groom your dog regularly. Pet your dog on a regular basis. Invite your dog up on the couch with you during down time and have a good petting session. If your dog wants to snuggle with you, let it climb on your lap when you read or watch television. Grooming your dog can also be a positive way of bonding. Regular grooming will also keep your dog clean and cut back on bills from groomers. Brush your dog a few times a week. Some dogs may dislike brushing at first, so make sure to brush your dog when it's calm. Reinforce positive behaviors with praise and treats. 8. **Praise positive behavior.** Dogs will bond with humans who they see as pack leaders. If a dog respects your authority, this will strengthen your bond. Dogs respond best to positive reinforcement rather than punishment, so work on offering praise and treats when your dog behaves appropriately. Establish a firm routine for your dog. Have things like regular meal times, walk times, and time for playing in the house. When your dog behaves, praise it instead of scolding it. For example, if your dog sits and waits for you to leash it up before a walk, offer verbal praise and even a small treat. This will get you further than scolding your dog for jumping around. 9. **Respect your dog's boundaries.** Always be aware of how your dog reacts to something. A positive relationship is built on mutual trust, so do not engage in any behaviors that may distress your dog. If your dog seems nervous about something, cease the behavior. Pay attention to the kinds of things that bother your dog. Your dog may spit out a particular food, for example. It may get scared of loud noises or growl or move away if you pet it a certain way. Try to reduce these kinds of stressors in your dog's life. A happy dog is more likely to bond with its owner. Focus on what your dog responds positively to. Your dog may always roll over for a belly rub, for example. It may love to play tug o' war with you. Try to engage in these behaviors more frequently. This will cause your dog to like you more, increasing the bond between the two of you. 10. **Stay calm, especially with puppies.** You need to have patience when bonding with any dog. This is especially true with puppies, as puppies may misbehave more frequently. Remember that dogs take awhile to learn boundaries. If they're behaving in a negative fashion, it's not malicious in nature. Never yell at a dog or strike it physically in any way. This will teach your dog to fear you instead of being your friend. 11. **Learn basic dog body language.** In order to assess whether you're successfully befriending a dog, learn basic body language. This way, you can get a better sense of whether your dog does or does not like a particular interaction. A relaxed dog will have its head erect, its ears up, its tail wagging, and its mouth open slightly. A dog may also perk its ears up more if it's excited or playful. Aggressive or frightened dogs will show their teeth and the hair on their tails may stand up. Their tails will also remain stiff. If a dog is scared, it will tuck its tail downward. It will also pull its ears back and duck its head down. 12. **Avoid intimidating gestures.** You do not want to inadvertently scare a dog. This will not help you bond. When interacting with a dog, avoid any gestures the dog may read as intimidating. Do not stare a dog directly in the eye. When a dog sniffs your hand, do not move. This could startle a dog. 13. **Handle an aggressive dog appropriately.** If a strange dog becomes aggressive, take proper precautions. You want to avoid being bitten. Stop as soon as a dog begins barking or growling and talk to it in a calm, soothing voice. Never turn your back on an aggressive dog. If it pivots around you, keep turning so you're facing the dog. Do not run from an aggressive dog. Wait until the dog stops moving and then slowly back away. Keep your eye on the dog as you move backwards. 14. **Treat each dog you meet as an individual.** Remember, no two dogs are the same. You want to treat every dog as an individual and pay attention to its likes and dislikes. Some dogs may love belly rubs, while others may dislike them. Some may love playing fetch, while others may find it stressful. Each time you come across a new dog, pay attention to that dog's specific body language to make sure you're interacting with it in a positive fashion.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Befriend-Dogs", "language": "en"}

How to Live Without Social Media

You don’t need social media to live a fulfilling life. Devoting less time to social media will help you recover time you didn’t know you had—time you can spend on the stuff that makes you truly happy. Whether you’ve decided to give it up entirely or cut back, seek alternatives for things which you’d normally do on social media. Replacing idle time with activities and positive social interactions will keep you happy and connected without social media. 1. **Deactivate your social media accounts.** You may find it easier to stop using social media if you deactivate or get rid of your accounts altogether. Most social media sites allow you to deactivate your account rather than delete it completely in case you want to come back. Delete an Instagram Account Delete a Twitter Account Deactivate a Facebook Account Delete a YouTube Account Delete a LinkedIn Account 2. **Remove social media apps from your tablet or smartphone.** Every time you go onto your phone and see the Facebook app, you risk temptation. Deleting these apps makes it easier to stay off social media and focus on what matters most to you. 3. **Block social media websites in your browser.** If you're finding it hard to avoid clicking to social media websites, download a browser extension like StayFocusd to block the sites. If this seems like an extreme step, only go halfway. Block these sites only on your primary web browser, so you can still access them elsewhere. If you prefer, you can choose to limit your time spent on certain websites rather than block them completely. If you need to, you can also block these sites on your iPhone. 4. **Change your routines to avoid social media.** Some people check their social media accounts as soon as they wake up in the morning, during breaks at work or school and while they are falling asleep. Think about when you tend to look at social media, and then find another activity to fill that time. While you eat meals, try to focus on the food. Think about the taste and texture. If you’re eating with others, talk to them instead of looking at your phone. When you feel like having a conversation with someone, do it in person. If nobody is around, try going to a café or other busy location where people may be available to chat. Keep your phone far away from you at night. Not only will this prevent you from using social media, you may fall asleep easier. 5. **Take out a sheet of paper and a pen.** If you think about it, there are both positive and negative things about social media. If social media didn’t have its benefits, you wouldn’t spend so much time with it! To live happily without social media, you’ll have to replace the positive things about it with positive alternatives. Start by making a few lists. 6. **Write a list of good things about using social media.** What is it that you like about social media? Use concrete examples, like: “I can keep in touch with my friends who live far away.” “I can find out about things happening in my area.” “I’m reminded of my friends’ birthdays.” 7. **List ways to do those things without social media.** Now that you have a list of social media positives, figure out how to accomplish those tasks (or get those feelings) without being tethered to a computer or cell phone. For example: “I will send letters to and plan to visit my faraway friends.” “I will find events in the newspaper or by asking friends what they are doing.” “I will make a list of birthdays and pin it to my wall.” 8. **Make a list of the things you don’t like about using social media.** Now you’ll make a list of concrete things that bother you about social media. Consider things you haven’t done or finished because of the time you spend on social media. Examples: “I use social media instead of [something you love to do].” “I don’t get enough sleep because of how I use social media.” “I feel insecure when I look at social media.” 9. **List ways to improve the negatives by leaving social media.** How will those negative things in your life turn into positives if you leave social media? “I will have more time to do [something you love to do].” “I will be able to fall asleep earlier if I’m not looking at social media.” “I will feel better about myself if I don’t see things that make me feel insecure on social media.” 10. **Throw yourself into a new hobby.** In addition to getting really good at something, devoting time to a new hobby will help you fill the idle time you once filled with social media. Having a hobby will also boost your creativity and keep your brain sharp. If you’re having trouble thinking of a new hobby, take a look at some of these ideas: Art: comics illustration, film-making, jewelry-making, making your own clothes, macramé, decoupage, interior design, makeup. Music: analog synthesizers, choir, making guitar pedals, becoming a DJ. Writing: lyric poetry, amateur journalism, short stories, personal memoirs. Exercise: martial arts, swimming, dancing, aerial yoga. Helping others: raising money for a good cause, helping a non-native speaker learn your language, training pets, sharing meals with people experiencing poverty. 11. **Find a penpal.** If part of what you like about social media is how easy it is to meet people, seek a penpal instead. When looking for a penpal, think about things that would keep you interested in writing to someone new. You’ll likely find that getting interesting things in your mailbox is more exciting than any social media notification. Finding a penpal in another country is a fun way to learn about other places. In addition to writing letters, you can also send and receive mix CDs of your favorite music, artwork, stickers, photos, and books. 12. **Stay on top of current events.** Because the majority of people get their news on social media, you may be surprised to learn that there are other ways to stay connected to current events. Most areas still print newspapers, most of which you can also find on the web. News radio, podcasts, and television news networks may even expose you to a wider variety of information than what’s supplied by your social networks. 13. **Ask your friends for their contact information.** Studies show that while social media keeps us connected to others online, it decreases the quality of our off-line relationships. You can strengthen these relationships by gathering phone numbers and addresses from people you care about. Write this information down in an address book or personal organizer and keep it handy. It’s also a good idea to ask them how they like to be contacted. Some people may be more open to talking on the phone than others. People who are less likely to talk on the phone or make in-person plans may prefer communicating via email. 14. **Tell your friends and family to put away their phones.** When you’re spending quality time with someone, ask them to save social media and texting for later. It probably doesn’t feel good to have to compete with social media for your friends’ attention. Also, hearing about what’s happening on Facebook may entice you to return before you’re ready. 15. **Make plans to do things with other people.** Having positive experiences and interactions with friends will help you stay both healthy and happy. When you have fun social events on the horizon, you’ll feel less isolated. Find out which bands or artists are visiting your town, and then plan to see the event with friends. Research good cafes or restaurants in your area and ask a friend to meet you for a meal. Plan a camping trip with a group of people. Try to choose a location where the Internet is inaccessible! Sign up for an activity that requires you and a friend to do something at a regularly-scheduled time. For example, weekly yoga classes, volunteer opportunities, or writing groups. Start a project with a group of people, such as a band, sports team, or foreign language study group. 16. **Keep busy.** If you often check social media when you’re bored, you’ll need to fill your time with things that keep your mind focused. You clean, read, study, catch up on homework, or go out. Not only will you stay on top of things like coursework or the cleaning, but it may also reduce your social media temptations. 17. **Become a regular at a café or regular event.** Hanging out at the same places often will undoubtedly introduce you to people who share similar interests. When you go to these events, appear relaxed, friendly, and approachable to encourage conversation. Go to the same open mic event every month, and maybe even participate! Find an art gallery you like and go to their opening every month. Visit the same café regularly so people start to recognize you. 18. **Join a group for people who share the same interest.** You can use a site like Meetup.com to make new friends who like to hang out in-person. You may find a group that shares a certain identity (e.g., heritage, occupation, orientation) or common interest (e.g., oil painting, beat-making, women’s basketball) and forget all about social media. 19. **Ask for support.** If you find yourself unable to stay off social media, reach out to your friends and family. Let them know why you want to stop using social media, and ask them to help you fill your time. Internet addiction can interfere with life to the point of becoming a serious addiction. If you’re feeling shame and having trouble steering clear of social media, there are non-judgmental therapists and help groups who can help you defeat your addiction.

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How to Remove a Name from a Mortgage Without Refinancing

If you want to remove a name from a joint mortgage loan, whether it is your name or the name of your co-borrower, it is possible to do so without refinancing. This situation might occur if a relationship breaks up or a living situation changes. However, each option has its downside and may not be successful. 1. **Contact your lender.** Removing a name from a joint mortgage is not a typical request, so it is best that you contact your lender in person or by telephone rather than by email.Since your lender holds the mortgage to the home, the lender wants to be able to hold both borrowers responsible if payments are not made. Therefore, a lender may be reluctant to remove one borrower's name from the loan. While this process, commonly referred to as an assumption or a novation, is not common, some lenders do allow it with respect to certain types of mortgage loans. For instance, FHA and VA loans commonly have provisions that allow assumptions. 2. **Provide your lender with your personal financial information.** This financial documentation must show that you have the ability to be responsible for the mortgage loan. For instance, you should provide your lender with your recent income tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements. You have to prove to the bank that you have the money to make the mortgage payments every month on your own. 3. **Use your credit report.** Your credit report is a good source of proof of your ability to make the mortgage payments. Your lender always considers a person’s credit history in evaluating his or her eligibility for a loan. Credit history also can affect other factors about your mortgage loan, such as the interest rate. This information will help the bank decide if you are eligible for a mortgage loan on your own. 4. **Provide your lender with your divorce decree, if applicable.** People often want to remove the name of an ex-spouse from a joint mortgage loan, pursuant to their divorce decree. If this is the case, some lenders will require proof of a properly executed divorce decree in order to process the assumption. 5. **Ensure that your mortgage loan qualifies for an assumption.** While assumptions used to be more widespread, they are now are commonly limited to certain types of mortgage loans, including FHA loans, USDA loans, VA loans, and adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) loans that are still in their adjustable period. If your loan does not qualify for an assumption due to the nature of the loan, or there is no provision for assumption in the mortgage contract, you may not be eligible to remove a co-borrower's name from this process. If your mortgage contract does not permit an assumption, there is nothing that you can do to change it. You signed the contract and are bound by its terms. 6. **Sign a mortgage novation or assumption with your lender.** A novation or assumption simply substitutes one mortgage contract for another. The new contract removes the co-borrower from the mortgage loan altogether. You will sign the new mortgage contract. The co-borrower also normally must sign the appropriate documents in order to remove his or her name from the loan. 7. **Sign a new deed.** Once you have signed the new mortgage contract, there is another important step to take. You need to legally remove the co-borrower's name from the deed to the property.By executing a quitclaim deed, you and the co-borrower can transfer the property to you alone. You may wish to contact an attorney so that your deed contains all of the required information. Depending on your state’s laws, you may need to take the new deed to various government offices for recording. 8. **Recruit a co-signer for your mortgage loan.** If you don’t qualify for a mortgage loan on your own, you could find another person who qualifies for the loan and who is willing to co-sign it. Taking this step might convince the lender to allow you to take on the mortgage loan without your current co-borrower. Your co-signer should have a strong credit history and sufficient income to qualify for the loan. 9. **Contact your lender.** If the lender agrees to it, this method will get the current co-borrower off the hook and allow you to take out another joint mortgage loan, except with a different person. It is important to remember, however, that circumstances may always change in the future. If you later want to remove the new co-signer from the joint mortgage loan, you will end up in the same situation that you are now. Likewise, if you fail to make the mortgage payments as agreed, your co-signer will be held responsible for the payments. 10. **Sign new mortgage documents with your new co-signer.** If your lender is agreeable, you can enter into a new mortgage contract along with your co-signer. This will absolve your current co- borrower from responsibility for the new mortgage loan, but will make your co-signer equally responsible for the loan. 11. **Sign a new deed.** You and your former co-borrower will need to sign a new deed that transfers interest in the property to you and your new co-signer. The deed may need to be recorded at various government offices, depending on the laws of your state. 12. **Evaluate your financial situation.** While this may be somewhat of an extreme option, filing for bankruptcy and receiving a bankruptcy discharge under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code can remove your name from a mortgage loan. This may be a helpful option, for instance, if you have a lot of debt and are struggling financially. If all other alternatives fail and you are otherwise eligible for bankruptcy, you should be able to discharge your liability for the mortgage loan that you hold jointly with another person. 13. **Contact a bankruptcy attorney.** An attorney who primarily handles bankruptcy cases will best be able to assess your financial situation. He or she can determine whether you are entitled to relief through the bankruptcy process. He or she also can advise you whether bankruptcy is likely to relieve you of the joint mortgage debt. This way, you can decide if bankruptcy is the best option for you. 14. **File for bankruptcy if appropriate.** A bankruptcy attorney can help you with the necessary paperwork and documents. You will need to include the joint mortgage loan in your bankruptcy filing. Assuming that your bankruptcy proceedings go smoothly, you may be able to discharge your financial responsibility for the mortgage loan. This will leave your co-borrower with sole liability for the loan. 15. **Execute a quitclaim deed regarding the property.** If you are able to discharge the mortgage loan in bankruptcy proceedings, you should sign a quitclaim deed to transfer your interest in the property to your co-borrower. This allows your co-borrower to sell, refinance, or otherwise dispose of the property as he or she sees fit. 16. **Understand that your co-borrower will still own the property.** Your bankruptcy discharge does not affect his or her legal or financial responsibility for the property. If you are worried about your co-borrower's ability to assume total responsibility for the property, you should discuss the potential consequences of this option before filing for bankruptcy. 17. **Contact a realtor about selling the property.** If neither you nor your co-borrower are interested in living in or otherwise utilizing the property, you may consider selling the property. Selling the property would solve the problem altogether. If you wish to remain living on the property, however, then selling it is clearly not an option. 18. **Determine the current value of the property.** Your realtor can research the values of properties that are comparable to your property. These property values, as well as current market conditions, can give you a fairly good idea as to the value of the property. You also can pay to have an appraisal done on the property. However, appraisals can be expensive and are likely to give you roughly the same information as the realtor’s analysis. 19. **Compare the estimated property value to your mortgage debt.** If the estimated value of your property is equal to or more than the balance on your mortgage loan, you could sell it and pay off the mortgage loan. However, if you owe more than the property is worth, then you will not be able to pay off the mortgage loan. The only exception is if the mortgage lender agrees to a short sale, or a sale of the property for an amount that is less than what is owed on the mortgage loan. 20. **Place the property for sale.** If you receive an offer on the property that is fair and will pay the mortgage loan in full, your problem is solved. Both you and your co-borrower will execute a deed within the course of the sale that transfers all ownership of the property to the buyer. The mortgage loan will be paid off. If you receive an offer that is less than the amount of the mortgage loan, however, you will need to contact your lender to see if they will agree to a short sale.

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How to Create a Nonprofit Cooperative

While both nonprofits and cooperatives are fairly common it's pretty rare to see a nonprofit co-op. There are some important regulations you need to know to maintain this status, but fortunately, we're here to help! 1. **Find potential cooperative members.** You need to form an organizing committee. This committee will perform the initial exploratory meetings and perform analyses to decide if a coop is feasible. Ideally, you will want to form an organizing committee with like-minded individuals who are passionate about the issue driving the need for the coop. Reach out to friends or family members who might be interested in forming a coop. You could also contact charities. Sometimes, charities decide to form non-profits in order to advance their goals in the community. Charity members might be interested in helping to form the non-profit cooperative. 2. **Meet to discuss your goals and strategy.** Members of a coop are intimately involved with all day-to-day operations of the organization. Accordingly, all members will need to be on the same page when it comes to the coop’s goals and strategy. Once you have identified a core group of people interested in forming the organizing committee, you should schedule several meetings where you can discuss the following: What are your goals and strategy? To form a credit union that can bring economic opportunity to a depressed economic area? To sell locally produced goods? To create independent media? Will the business grow out of an existing one, or will it be built up from the ground? Does the organizing committee have all of the expertise necessary to run the coop? What other expertise is necessary? How will decisions be made? You should consider whether decisions will be made unanimously, by majority, or by supermajority (more than 50% but less than 100%). How will you hire new people? Since the cooperative structure is so different from traditional work environments, you might want to give people a trial period to see if they like it. If the employee is a poor fit, then you can end the work relationship. 3. **Identify sources of funding.** Before starting the process of creating your nonprofit cooperative, you need to figure out how to pay for the initial start-up costs. You should create a budget and then identify realistic sources of funding. You have different options: You can get the money from members. Each founding member contributes money. You could get a loan. Identify a bank (or a credit union) that has given loans to cooperatives before. A grant from a cooperative incubator. 4. **Find a cooperative incubator to help you.** Also called “cooperative developers,” these organizations help new incubators get off the ground. They often provide advice, training, and other resources to help cooperatives establish themselves. Some incubators help businesses transition from one form to the cooperative form, whereas other incubators will help new cooperatives start from scratch. To find an incubator, search the Internet. Type “cooperative incubator” and your state into your favorite search engine. You have to apply for the incubator program and meet any program requirements that it has established. You may also need to pay an initial fee as well as monthly fees to continue to receive help. 5. **Meet with a business lawyer.** Cooperatives that are run for the mutual benefit of its members can sometimes qualify as non-profits. These are fairly rare, though. Accordingly, you should bring a business lawyer into your planning very early on in the process. If your state doesn’t let you form non-profit cooperatives, then you should find that out before beginning your planning for the coop. To find an experienced business attorney, you should contact your local or state bar association and ask for a referral. Alternately, you could ask another cooperative if they would recommend their lawyer. Once you have the name of the lawyer, schedule a consultation. You will have to pay for legal advice. Even if the lawyer agrees to a free initial consultation, he or she is unlikely to give out legal advice for free. Typically, the consultation is simply a “meet and greet” affair. However, if you are looking for legal advice, then say so when you call to schedule the consultation. The lawyer can quote you a price for a half hour or hour of legal advice. 6. **Ask whether you can create a non-profit cooperative.** Not every state allows you to create this kind of business. Before meeting with the lawyer, sketch out what your plans are for the non-profit and ask the lawyer whether you think this type of cooperative would qualify for non-profit status. The most common non-profit cooperatives are credit unions and housing coops. Nonprofit cooperatives were also created as a response to the national healthcare legislation passed in 2010. 7. **Get the required paperwork.** If the lawyer thinks you can legally form a non-profit cooperative in your state, then he or she should help you find necessary forms to fill out. For example, you will need to complete Articles of Incorporation and file them with your state’s Department of Corporations or Secretary of State’s Office. Your lawyer should be able to get the forms for you. In order to operate as a non-profit, you also need to fill out applications for federal and state tax exemptions. This is how you apply for non-profit status. If you are denied non-profit status, then your coop will be for profit. 8. **Return to the lawyer with questions.** You should develop a good relationship with your lawyer, because you may have to return several times in the future for advice. For example, you should have the lawyer look over your bylaws as well as other organizational materials. In the future, you may need a lawyer’s advice to help you with hiring or firing employees, defending yourself in a lawsuit, or dealing with the IRS. 9. **Create bylaws.** Your state law may require that you create bylaws. Bylaws essentially serve as the operating manual for how the cooperative will be run. Even if your state doesn’t require bylaws, it is a good idea to create them. Make sure to include the following when you draft your bylaws: membership requirements member duties the responsibilities of coop members 10. **Create a membership application.** You need to give people a way to join your non-profit cooperative. You should create a template which you can copy and distribute to multiple people to fill out. Make sure your membership application contains the following: the applicant’s name a summary of member rights and benefits signature from the board of directors 11. **Elect directors at a charter meeting.** The initial group of members are called “chartered members.” You will need to discuss and possibly revise any bylaws at the initial meeting. You also need to identify the board of directors if they were not named in your articles of incorporation. Remember that you must follow your state’s laws on record keeping, which includes taking minutes of your meetings. You should talk with your lawyer about precise requirements in your state. 12. **Get licenses and permits.** You can’t run any business, not even a non-profit, unless you have the required licenses and permits applicable to your business. You should contact your state to find out what licenses and permits you will need. To find what you need, you can visit the Small Business Administration’s website, which provides links to the office in each state that issues permits. Be sure to get all necessary permits and licenses before beginning your business. It is illegal to run a business without your state’s approval.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Nonprofit-Cooperative", "language": "en"}

How to Get Rid of Skunks

If you or your pet has ever been sprayed by a skunk, you’re probably not eager to repeat the process anytime soon. Getting rid of a skunk that has settled into your property can be done with a few prevention and repelling methods. In this article, we’ll give you a list of all the ways you can get rid of skunks and prevent them from coming back. 1. **Skunks shy away from bright lights at night.** Put up large motion-sensor lights and point them at your yard to deter skunks and make them go away. Keep in mind that the lights will probably deter other critters and wildlife from your yard as well. Skunks are nocturnal, which is why they tend to stay away from bright lights. 2. **Sprinklers** Consider adding motion-activated sprinklers to turn on whenever a skunk comes near. Place them strategically close to areas where you suspect skunks might want to shelter, like under your deck or inside a window well. 3. **Skunks don’t like loud noises, and a radio may scare them away.** If you know that skunks like to head inside an outdoor shed or under your deck, place a radio nearby and turn it onto a talk radio station. Leave it on at night to scare skunks away and keep them off your property. If you have neighbors close by, they might not appreciate this tactic. Instead, try an ultrasonic skunk repellent that emits a high-pitched noise. Skunks can hear it, but humans can’t. 4. **Keep trash cans secured tightly to remove a skunk’s food source.** Skunks are scavengers, and an open trash can or compost pile is like a 3-course meal for them. Keep your garbage in a thick plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, and put it inside, if possible. If you have a compost pile outside, don’t put kitchen scraps in it until the skunks are gone. Leaving kitchen scraps outside is a great way to attract skunks to your yard. 5. **Keep pet food inside to avoid giving skunks a free meal.** If you have outdoor animals, take them inside to feed them as often as possible. If that’s not an option, stick around after your animals eat and clean up any leftover food as best as you can. If you store any pet food outside, keep it secure in a plastic bin with a tight-fitting lid. 6. **Skunks love bird seed, so clean it up when you see it on the ground.** Feeding the birds around your home is great, but it can sometimes get a little messy. If you notice any bird seed on the ground, clean it up before nightfall to avoid attracting skunks. If you can’t stay on top of cleaning up bird seed around your home, consider taking down your bird feeders until the skunks aren’t a problem anymore. 7. **Get rid of grubs to remove a natural food source for skunks.** Your tall, watered lawn may be hiding a plethora of delicious grubs that attract skunks. To quickly get rid of grubs, stop watering your lawn for 3 to 4 weeks. As your lawn dries out, the grubs will die, and the skunks will look for food elsewhere. You can also release nematodes in your lawn, or sprinkle milky spore over your lawn to kill grubs. However, these methods can take years to kill off grubs, so they’re not ideal. 8. **Deter skunks from entering small areas with chicken wire.** There may be spots on your property that skunks are attracted to, like the area under your deck. Put up chicken wire to keep skunks out and prevent them from making a home. Make sure you aren’t blocking off an area that has skunks in it currently, since trapping them in a small space could kill them. If you’re not sure, put loose dirt or wood shavings into an area and leave it for 2 to 3 days. If the dirt and wood chips aren’t disturbed after 3 days, you can safely assume that no skunks are living there. 9. **The smell of ammonia is a known skunk deterrent.** Ironically, skunks aren’t a huge fan of strong smells, like ammonia. Dip a few rags into ammonia and leave them around your property to hopefully send the skunks elsewhere. Ammonia tends to evaporate quickly. Be sure to replace the rags every day for this technique to be effective. Some people also have success with other strong scents, like soaps and citrus sprays. These aren’t proven by experts to deter skunks, but they can’t hurt, either. 10. **Commercial repellents** Buy a bottle of skunk repellent, then spray it around the perimeter of your yard. The smell of the repellent will deter the skunks and make them go elsewhere. Most skunk repellents are safe to use around animals and children. However, always read the label carefully on your skunk repellent, and follow the safety instructions on the bottle. 11. **Trap and release skunks on your property to move them elsewhere.** If you’ve tried multiple methods and you still see skunks coming in and out of your property, contact a professional to trap and release them. A professional trapper will set up a cage to catch the skunk, then drive them out to a better habitat that’s suited for their needs. To hire a professional trapper, talk to someone from the wildlife department in your state or county. They may advise you to contact a private trapper. Look into your local laws before attempting to trap and release a skunk. In some states, this is illegal.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Skunks", "language": "en"}

How to Annotate a Book

Annotating a book is a great way to make notes on the text. It also allows you to do a deep read of the book, where you jot down your thoughts or impressions of the text. You may need to annotate a book for a class or decide to try it to deepen your reading experience. Start by selecting your annotation tool. Then, annotate the book by focusing on keywords, phrases, ideas, and questions so your notes are clear and easy to review later. 1. **Annotate with a highlighter and a pen or pencil.** One of the easiest ways to annotate a book is to use a highlighter and pen or pencil directly on the text. Choose a highlighter in a shade that is easy for you to read on the page, such as a light blue or orange color. The standard yellow highlighter shade would also work too. Go for a pen in a dark color so it's easy to read. Try to stick to one highlighter color for the annotation so you do not end up with highlighted pages that are hard to re read. Choose the highlighter and pen or pencil option if it's okay for you to mark up the text. 2. **Use sticky notes or tabs if you can't mark up the book.** Sticky notes or sticky tabs are a good option if you’d prefer not to mark up the book’s pages. Get colored sticky notes or tabs to mark pages or passages as part of your annotations. Look for sticky notes and tabs in different colors. You can then use the different colored notes or tabs to annotate the book. 3. **Try an electronic annotation program.** If you are annotating a book on an eReader, there are several different annotation programs you can download. Programs like Skim and Marvin make it easy for you to annotate a text on your Reader. You can download electronic annotation programs in the Apps store on your eReader. 4. **Remove distractions.** Go to a quiet, isolated spot at school, like the library or a study hall. If you are at home, close the door of your room and let others around you know you are not to be disturbed. 5. **Read the book slowly and carefully.** To annotate a book properly, you need to take your time and read the book slowly. Pay attention to each word in the text. Pause and think about a passage in the text before moving on. Moving slowly through the text will ensure you do not miss anything and that you annotate the text well. 6. **Underline key phrases.** Start by underlining any phrases that feel important to you. Often, key phrases appear at the end of a sentence. They may also appear after a colon or a comma. Look for phrases that appear several times in the text, as they are likely important. Try to only underline phrases that seem very important in the text. You do not want to end up with pages of underlined phrases, as it will be difficult for you to determine which ones are actually important. You can also underline phrases you like or find interesting. If a sentence strikes you or stands out to you, underline it so you can return to it later. 7. **Circle or box key words.** Look for words that seem important to the author. You may circle words that connect back to the main idea in a section. Or you may draw a box around words that are repeated several times in the book. For example, if you notice the word “power” appears several times in the text, circle or box it as an annotation. The author may tell you to keep certain words in mind as you read the text. Make sure you circle or box these words as part of your annotations. 8. **Bracket key sections.** If you feel several lines in a section are important, use brackets to indicate this in the text. Try to choose only several lines or short sections of the text to bracket. Bracketing long sections can make it hard for you to return to the annotation later and get a clear sense of why you noted the section. For example, if there is a section that focuses on a particular case study in the text you find interesting or important, use a bracket in the margins to annotate it. 9. **Make a list of words you don’t recognize.** Keep a running list of words that you do not know or are not familiar with. Write them down on a separate piece of paper or at the end of the text. Then, look up the terms so you know what they mean. Consider the meaning of the term in the context of where it appears in the book. Keep a dictionary handy so you can look up terms you do not recognize quickly and easily. 10. **Reflect on the book in the margins.** Have a conversation with the text by writing down your thoughts and reflections in the margins as you read. You may write one or two words to mark your thoughts. You can also jot down short phrases in the margins as they come. As you read, ask yourself questions like, "What is the author trying to tell me as the reader?" "Why is this passage in the text?" "How do I respond emotionally to the text?" 11. **Make a list of questions you have about the book.** As you read, write down any questions you have about the text. Jot them down in the margins or at the bottom of the page. Ask questions about words or phrases that confuse you. Pose questions about ideas that you find hard to follow or do not agree with. For example, you may ask questions like, "Why did the author include this example in the book?" "What is the goal of the author in this passage?" "What is the author trying to say here?" To make the questions short so they can fit into the margins, you may simply put a question mark next to passages you do not understand. Or you may write the questions like, "Goal of the author?" "What is being said?" to keep them short. You can also keep the questions in a separate notebook or piece of paper so you do not clutter up the margins of the book. 12. **Link ideas together with arrows.** Use arrows or lines to connect ideas and themes together in the text. You may circle key words on the same page and then link them together with arrows. Or you could highlight a passage and draw an arrow to another passage further down the page. Linking ideas together will help you think critically about the text. It will also deepen your annotations and notes on the text. 13. **Summarize each section at the bottom of the page.** Once you have completed a section of the book, try to condense the main thoughts and ideas in the section with a few key words. Write these key words at the bottom of the page so you can return to them later. For example, you may summarize a passage in the book with key words like “power,” “female sexuality,” and “Freud case study.” You can keep your summaries in a separate notebook or piece of paper so the margins do not become cluttered with your notes.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Annotate-a-Book", "language": "en"}

How to Construct a Line Parallel to a Given Line Through a Given Point

Parallel lines are lines that are equidistant at all points and would never touch if they went on forever. Sometimes you may be presented with one line and need to create another line parallel to it through a given point. You might be tempted to simply take a straight edge and draw a line that seems right; however, you could not be sure that the line you constructed was technically parallel. Using geometry and a compass, you can plot additional points that will ensure the line you construct is truly parallel. 1. **Locate the given line and the given point.** The point will not be on the given line, and can be above or below it. Label the line m{\displaystyle m} and the point A{\displaystyle A}. 2. **Draw an arc that intersects the given line at two different points.** To do this, place the compass tip on point A{\displaystyle A}. Open the compass so that it is wide enough to reach beyond line m{\displaystyle m}, then draw an arc that sweeps across the line at points B{\displaystyle B} and C{\displaystyle C}. 3. **Draw a small arc opposite the given point.** To do this, open the compass a little wider. Set the compass tip on point B{\displaystyle B}, and draw an arc that sweeps directly across from point A{\displaystyle A}. If the given point is above the line, you should draw this arc below the line. If the given point is below the line, you should draw this arc above the line. The arc does not have to be very long, as long as part of it falls directly under the given point. 4. **Draw a another small arc intersecting the previous one.** To do this, keep the compass set to the same width. Set the compass tip on point C{\displaystyle C} and draw an arc that intersects the previous small arc. Label this point D{\displaystyle D} 5. **Draw a line that connects the given point and the intersection of the two small arcs.** Label this line line n{\displaystyle n}. Line n{\displaystyle n} is perpendicular to line m{\displaystyle m} through points A{\displaystyle A} and D{\displaystyle D}. Remember, a perpendicular line is a line that creates a 90 degree angle. 6. **Draw an arc that intersects the perpendicular line at two different points.** To do this, place the compass tip on point A{\displaystyle A}, then draw an arc that sweeps across line n{\displaystyle n} at points E{\displaystyle E} and F{\displaystyle F}. 7. **Draw a small arc opposite the given point.** To do this, open the compass a little wider. Set the compass tip on point E{\displaystyle E}, and draw an arc that sweeps directly across from point A{\displaystyle A}. 8. **Draw a another small arc intersecting the previous one.** To do this, keep the compass set to the same width. Place the compass tip on point F{\displaystyle F} and draw an arc that intersects the previous small arc. Label this point G{\displaystyle G}. 9. **Draw a line connecting the given point to this new point.** This line is perpendicular to line n{\displaystyle n}. Thus, it is parallel to line m{\displaystyle m} and passes through the given point, point A{\displaystyle A}. 10. **Locate the given line and the given point.** The point will not be on the given line, and can be above or below it. Think of this point as one vertex of a rhombus. Since opposite sides of a rhombus are parallel, by drawing a rhombus we can construct a parallel line. If the line and point are not already labeled, you might want to label them to easily keep track of the steps. For example, you might have line m{\displaystyle m} and point A{\displaystyle A}. 11. **Draw the second vertex of the rhombus.** To do this, set the compass tip on the given point and draw an arc that intersects the given line at some point. Do not change the width of the compass. It does not matter how wide you set the compass, as long as it can intersect the given line. Make sure the arc reaches above the given point and intersects the given line. For example, you should set the compass tip at point A{\displaystyle A} and create an arc that intersects line m{\displaystyle m} at point B{\displaystyle B}. 12. **Draw the third vertex of the rhombus.** Using the same compass width, set the compass tip at the second vertex, and draw an arc that intersects the given line at a new point. Do not change the width of the compass. The arc only has to be long enough to show where it intersects the given line. For example, you should set the compass tip at point B{\displaystyle B} and create an arc that intersects line m{\displaystyle m} at point C{\displaystyle C}. 13. **Draw the fourth vertex of the rhombus.** Using the same compass width, set the compass at the third vertex, and draw an arc that intersects the first arc you drew (through the second vertex). The arc only has to be long enough to show where it intersects the first arc. For example, you should set the compass tip at point C{\displaystyle C} and create an arc that intersects the first arc at point D{\displaystyle D}. 14. **Draw a line through the first and fourth vertices of the rhombus.** This line will pass through the given point and be parallel to the given line, as the two lines form two opposite sides of a rhombus. For example, a line drawn through point A{\displaystyle A} and point D{\displaystyle D} will be parallel to line m{\displaystyle m}. 15. **Locate the given line and the given point.** The point will not be on the given line, and can be above or below it. If the line and point are not already labeled, you might want to label them to easily keep track of the steps. For example, you might have line m{\displaystyle m} and point A{\displaystyle A}. 16. **Draw a line through the given point and any point on the given line.** This is the transverse line you will use to draw two corresponding angles, which will help you form the parallel line. Ensure that the transverse line extends well beyond the given point. For example, you might draw a line through point A{\displaystyle A} that intersects line m{\displaystyle m} at point B{\displaystyle B}. The new line segment would be AB{\displaystyle AB}. 17. **Prepare the compass.** Set the compass to a width that is less than half of the line segment you constructed. The exact width of the compass does not matter, as long as it is less than half the width of the line segment. For example, you should set the width of the compass so that it is less than half the width of line segment AB{\displaystyle AB}. 18. **Draw the first angle.** Place the tip of the compass on the point where the transverse line intersects the given line. Draw an arc that intersects the transverse line and the given line. Do not change the width of the compass. For example, you should set the compass at point B{\displaystyle B} and draw an arc that intersects line segment AB{\displaystyle AB} at point C{\displaystyle C} and line m{\displaystyle m} at point D{\displaystyle D}. This creates the angle CBD{\displaystyle CBD}. 19. **Draw an arc.** Using the same compass width, place the tip of the compass on the given point. Draw an arc that intersects the transverse line above the given point, extending to just below the given point. For example, you should set the compass at point A{\displaystyle A} and draw an arc that intersects the transverse line above point A{\displaystyle A} at point P{\displaystyle P}. 20. **Prepare the compass.** Set the width of the compass to the width of the first angle you created. For example, the first angle you created was CBD{\displaystyle CBD}, so set the tip of your compass on point D{\displaystyle D} extend it to point C{\displaystyle C}. 21. **Draw the corresponding angle.** Using the width of the first angle, set the tip of the compass at the point on the transverse line above the given point, and draw an arc that intersects the arc you created before. For example, you should set the compass tip at point P{\displaystyle P} and draw an arc that intersects the previous arc at point Q{\displaystyle Q}. This gives you angle PAQ{\displaystyle PAQ}, which corresponds to angle CBD{\displaystyle CBD}. 22. **Draw a line through the given point and the point created by the two intersecting arcs.** This line is parallel to the given line through the given point. For example, a line drawing through point A{\displaystyle A} and point Q{\displaystyle Q} creates line f{\displaystyle f}, which is parallel to line m{\displaystyle m}.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Construct-a-Line-Parallel-to-a-Given-Line-Through-a-Given-Point", "language": "en"}

How to Get a Nice Butt

A nice butt is one of the most coveted physical features and it can improve the way you look, which may boost your confidence. If you want to improve the look of your backside, do some special exercises to target your butt, include cardiovascular exercise that will burn calories and tone your backside, and adjust your diet to ensure that you are getting the right amount of calories and protein. 1. **Do squats** Squats are one of the best exercises you can do to tone your backside. To do a squat, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your knees to bring your backside towards the ground, as if you are going to sit in a chair. Squat as low as you can comfortably go. Make sure your knees remain lined up over your feet as you squat down. Then, stand up again and repeat the exercise. Do 3 sets of continuous repetitions for about 45 to 60 seconds per set. Try sumo squats for a variation that will target different areas of your backside as well. This is the same as a regular squat except you do it with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your toes pointing out to the sides. 2. **Include lunges** Lunges are also great for toning your backside. To do a lunge, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and then take a big step forward with one foot and bend your knees so that the back knee goes down towards the ground and the front knee bends at about a 90-degree angle. Make sure to keep your front knee above your ankle. Hold for a second and then step back into the starting position. Do 10-20 repetitions on each leg to complete a set, or do the exercise for 45-60 seconds on each leg. Do between 1 and 3 sets. For more of a challenge, try holding a 5 pounds (2.3 kg) to 15 pounds (6.8 kg) weight in each hand while you do the lunges. 3. **Do donkey kicks** Donkey kicks target the glutes and hamstrings. To do a donkey kick, get down on the ground on your hands and knees. Your shoulders should be over your wrists and your hips should be over your knees. Extend one leg straight out and up towards the ceiling, as if you are kicking a high target with your heel. Then, bring your knee back to the starting position and repeat. Do this exercise 10-20 times on each leg or for 45-60 seconds on each leg. Do between 1 and 3 sets. For more of a challenge, try doing this exercise starting from a plank position. 4. **Include some bridge lifts** Bridge lifts are great for toning your backside and core. To do a bridge lift, lie on your back with your arms straight along your sides and your palms facing the floor. Then, bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor about shoulder-width apart. Slowly lift your hips up towards the ceiling and squeeze your glutes as you do so. When your body is in a straight line, hold the pose for a few seconds and then slowly lower your bottom back down to the floor. Repeat this exercise for 45 seconds to 1 minute, then rest. Do 1 to 3 sets. Try doing single leg bridge lifts for a more challenging move. Instead of doing this exercise with both feet flat on the ground, lift one leg straight up in the air above your hips and hold it there as you lift. 5. **Use a combination of cardiovascular exercises to meet your weekly requirements.** Aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as walking or using an elliptical machine, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity every week, such as running or jogging. You can do the same activity in sessions spread throughout the week, or you can get all of your exercise over the course of a couple of days. 6. **Walk up and down stairs or use a stair machine.** To maximize your cardio workouts, you can do cardiovascular exercise that works your glutes while also getting your heartrate up. Walking up and down flights of stairs or using a stair machine is the best way to take care of both. You can even incorporate more stairs into your daily routine, such as by taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Since this is a vigorous activity, do a total of 75 minutes per week, or 5 15 minute sessions, to get your weekly cardio requirement. 7. **Take a walk uphill.** Walking uphill is a close second to walking up stairs when it comes to toning your backside. Try replacing your usual walking route with one that includes some hills, or use the incline setting on the treadmill to simulate hills. Some treadmills have a hill program, which will automatically adjust the incline at intervals to simulate a hilly walking route. Get 5 30 minute sessions per week. 8. **Use an elliptical walker.** This type of cardio is not as effective for toning your butt as stairs or uphill walking, but it's better than walking or running on flat terrain, and it's a good low-impact option if you have bad knees. Start with the resistance on the lowest level, and then adjust it up as you build strength. Aim for 30 minutes 5 times per week. 9. **Add calories if you are underweight** If you are underweight, then you may not have enough fat and/or muscle to create a defined backside. You may need to find little ways to increase your caloric intake, while still eating healthy. For example, you might add a couple of protein shakes in between your meals, or find ways to add calories to foods you normally eat, such as by eating an apple with almond butter, adding extra meat and cheese to your sandwich, and switching to whole milk. 10. **Subtract calories if you are overweight** If you are overweight, then you may need to lose some weight to allow the gluteal muscles you build to show through. To lose weight, you need to create caloric deficit. This means that you take in fewer calories than you burn. If you burn 2,500 calories per day and eat only 1,500 calories per day, then you should see a weight loss of about 2 pounds (0.91 kg) per week. This is because 1 pound (0.45 kg) of fat is equal to 3,500 calories. Make sure that you cut calories in healthy ways. Choose lower calorie options, such as vegetables and low-fat dairy. Avoid skipping meals because you will likely end up overeating later on. Also, measure your food portions and stay within the recommended serving sizes. 11. **Include enough protein in your diet** Protein is essential for building muscle, so make sure that you are meeting your protein needs every day. You need about 0.37 grams of protein for every pound of your body weight. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds (45 kg), then you would need to get 37 grams of protein daily. Choose lean protein, such as skinless chicken and turkey, tuna packed in water, and low-fat cottage cheese.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Nice-Butt", "language": "en"}

How to Count to Ten in Russian

Learning to count in Russian can be tricky for English speakers. But with a little practice and some basic steps it is not as hard as it might seem. Try studying the numbers from one to ten in Russian, practicing pronunciation, and listening to Russians count and you will soon be counting in Russian. 1. **Study the numbers.** Become familiar with the Russian numbers one through ten. Get a basic sense of how they are written and pronounced in Russian. This list contains the Russian word for each number and its phonetic pronunciation with the stressed syllables capitalized. 1) one = один, pronounced "ah-DEEN" or Раз, pronounced "raz." 2) two = два, pronounced "dvah" 3) three = три, pronounced "tree" 4) four = четыре, pronounced "chih-TEE-reh" 5) five = пять, pronounced "pyaht" 6) six = шесть, pronounced "shayst" 7) seven = семь, pronounced "seeaym" 8) eight = восемь, pronounced "VOH-seeaym" 9) nine = девять, pronounced "DYEH-veht" 10) ten = десять, pronounced "DYEH-seht" 2. **Practice saying the numbers aloud.** Read through the list of numbers out loud and get used to saying them. 3. **Note that Russians say "raz" for "one" when counting and in sentences like "one, two, three, four, let's go!".** "Raz" literally means "(one) time." It sounds more natural to use "raz" in these circumstances. On the other hand, never use "raz", when you describe the quantity of something. For example to say "one pickle, please," say "ah-DEEN." 4. **Pay attention to pronunciation.** As you practice saying the numbers from one to ten, pay close attention to the pronunciation of each sound that makes up the word for each number. 5. **Pay attention to word stress.** In Russian the stressed syllable of each word plays a key role in pronunciation. Stress refers to which syllable is emphasized. Make sure you are pronouncing the word with the stress on the correct syllable, which is capitalized in the phonetic pronunciation. Stress is very important in speaking Russian, not only for an authentic accent but also because some words have different meaning when the stress is on a different syllable. 6. **Memorize the numbers.** Commit the numbers from one to ten and their pronunciation to memory. 7. **Listen to a Russian speaker.** Hearing a Russian speaker pronounce the numbers will help a lot. If you know a native speaker, ask her to count to ten in Russian. Listen and repeat each number. 8. **Listen to recordings.** There are many websites where you can hear the numbers from one to ten pronounced correctly in Russian. Practice listening to each number and pronouncing it out loud. 9. **Watch counting videos.** Youtube and other sites have videos intended for Russian children to learn counting. These can be helpful resources as you learn to count to ten in Russian. 10. **Learn more about using Russian numbers.** Once you know how to count to ten, learn about using Russian numbers in sentences. Russian numbers have different forms depending on how they are used in sentences. 11. **Change the gender of numbers to match the gender of nouns.** When numbers are used as adjectives to describe how many of a noun, the gender of the number may change to match the noun it modifies. The number "1" has a masculine, feminine, and neuter form. Unless specified, use the masculine form. Masculine: "One brother" is "Один брат," "1" is pronounced "ah-DEEN." Feminine: "One sister" is "одна сестра," "1" is pronounced "ahd-NAH." Neuter: "One window" is "Одно окно," "1" is pronounced "ahd-NOH." The number "2" has two forms, masculine and feminine. The masculine is "два," pronounced "dvah" and the feminine is "две," pronounced "dv'eh." Numbers "3" through "10" stay in masculine form regardless of the noun's gender. 12. **Change the case of numbers according to their use in sentences.** Russian language uses six cases that modify words according to their part of speech and use in a sentence. Each of the numbers will change its spelling and pronunciation when used in particular ways. Most of the time numbers are used in the nominative case such as when the number is the subject of a sentence or modifies the subject of the sentence.This means you can usually use them in their regular form.

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{"url": "https://www.wikihow.com/Count-to-Ten-in-Russian", "language": "en"}

How to Make Eggs on Toast

Eggs on toast is a delicious breakfast. Its simplicity not only makes it tasty but also makes it a dish that works for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Classic dishes, like eggs on toast, are popular because they taste amazing, but also because there are so many ways to make the meal more exciting and unique. At the same time, you really can’t go wrong with the tried and true classic of simply cooked eggs on perfectly toasted bread. 1. **Warm a greased skillet over medium heat.** Add butter, oil, or any other type of cooking fat to a medium-sized skillet. Let the pan heat up for about a minute, long enough that the eggs will start cooking as soon as they enter the pan but not too long that the butter browns. 2. **Add your eggs to the heated skillet and cook over medium heat.** Once your pan is warmed up, you can add the eggs. Use any amount of eggs you like, depending on how many people you are feeding. If you want fried or over-easy eggs, just crack the eggs into the pan. If you want to make scrambled eggs, you’ll also want to crack them into the pan but be sure to whisk them quickly. If you are making scrambled eggs, don’t forget to keep stirring them as they cook. If you are nervous about cracking eggs directly into the pan, you can crack them in a bowl first to be sure you catch any stray shell pieces. For scrambled eggs, you can whisk them in the bowl and then add them to the pan. 3. **Toast your bread while your eggs are cooking.** While your eggs cook, you will want to be sure to get your bread toasting, so it will be done when the eggs finish cooking. Toast the bread until it is golden brown. Use whatever kind of bread you like. 4. **Flip the eggs once the bottoms have cooked completely.** If you are making a fried or over-easy egg, flip the egg once the bottom has browned. This usually takes about three minutes. If you are making scrambled eggs, continue stirring until the eggs are no longer liquid. 5. **Cook your eggs until fully cooked.** Whether you are going for a fried egg, an over-easy egg with a gooey center, or soft scrambled eggs, you'll want to watch them carefully and cook them until the whites are completely cooked. Cook scrambled eggs until they hold their shape and are no longer liquid. Don’t forget to add salt and pepper. Think about adding a little bit of cheese to make your eggs on toast that much more delicious. 6. **Butter your toast while your eggs cool slightly.** Once your toast is golden brown and toasted, you can spread a small amount of butter over your toast. Adding butter will enhance the overall flavor and will eliminate the dryness that can come with toasted bread. You can absolutely use dairy-free butter. 7. **Assemble the eggs onto the toast.** Once your eggs are cooked, and your toast is toasted, it is time to put it all together. Place the eggs on the buttered toast and enjoy your breakfast. 8. **Add meat to your eggs on toast.** Adding meat to your eggs on toast not only contributes extra protein, but it will also make your meal more filling and maybe even more delicious. Add meat to your eggs as they cook, or cook the meat separately and place it between the eggs and toast. Vegan meat products work just as well as regular meat. Bacon and traditional breakfast sausage are delicious with eggs on toast. 9. **Add vegetables to your eggs on toast.** The combination of eggs, toast, and vegetables will make your meal a bit more healthy. Plus, vegetables add fantastic flavor to any meal. Try cooking onions, garlic, and peppers with your eggs. Make your breakfast into a salad by topping your eggs on toast with dressed arugula. Combine two classic breakfasts: avocado toast and egg on toast. Just slather some avocado on top of your toast and then pile on your eggs. 10. **Poach your egg to make your eggs on toast more interesting.** Think Eggs Benedict, but without the hassle of making a hollandaise sauce. Poaching eggs is a fairly simple process when you get the hang of it. Try a poached egg on toast for a more upscale experience. 11. **Warm a greased skillet over medium-low heat.** Add a small amount butter, or dairy-free butter (around a teaspoon), to your skillet and warm it for a minute while you start to prepare your bread. 12. **Butter both sides of one piece of bread.** Buttering both sides of the bread will allow the bread to brown nicely in the pan. Vegan butter or ghee will work just as well as regular butter. 13. **Cut a small circle out of the middle of the bread.** You’ll want your circle to be large enough to fit the single egg you will crack into the hole, but not so big that you don’t have any bread left. You can use a small glass or biscuit cutter to make the hole. 14. **Put the piece of bread into the skillet and cook for a minute on medium-low.** Once you’ve cut the hole out of your toast, you can add it to the warmed skillet. Let the bread cook for a minute before adding the egg. 15. **Crack an egg into a cut and tip it into the hole of the bread in the skillet.** Cracking your egg into a cup will give you more control and ensure you catch any pieces of shell. Gently add your cracked egg into the hole that you’ve made in the center of the bread. If you do this slowly, it has a better chance of staying completely in the hole. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect, it will still taste amazing. 16. **Cook the bread and egg on medium-low until the egg sets on the bottom.** It should take about a minute for the egg to set. You can test to see whether it has set by taking a spatula and gently lifting the bread. You’ll know right away when your egg has set because it will stay with the bread. 17. **Flip the bread and cook until the egg is cooked, and the bread has browned.** Everyone has their own preference on how long to cook their eggs, but you generally want the egg whites to cook completely. Use your judgment when deciding whether the egg has cooked enough. Also, watch the bread to make sure it doesn’t burn. 18. **Remove from the skillet and let cool for a minute before enjoying.** Once the egg-in-a-hole has cooled, you can season it with salt, pepper and add your favorite condiments.

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How to Use the Drawer Beneath an Oven

Almost every oven comes with a bottom drawer. This drawer may be intended to be used as a broiler, warming drawer, or simply as a storage area. The use of the drawer depends on the oven type and brand, so it is important to consult the instructions for your oven before using this drawer. No matter what type of drawer you have, it can be used in a variety of helpful ways whether it be quickly cooking food, keeping prepared food warm, or storing pots and pans. 1. **Read the oven’s instructions.** The easiest way to know if your bottom drawer is simply a storage drawer is to read the instructions that came with the oven. If you don’t have the instructions, you can look up your oven model online and read about the product features. The bottom drawer is most likely a storage drawer if it doesn’t have settings or a heating element. 2. **Adjust the settings.** Many warming drawers come with several temperature settings. Typically, there will be a setting for high, medium, and low temperatures. Seafood, poultry, and other types of meat should be kept at a medium or high setting. If you are cooking multiple foods at once, keep the finished food that requires the lowest temperature in the drawer. 3. **Keep prepared food warm.** Warming drawers are typically used to help foods that are already warm, stay warm, instead of heating cold foods up. Use a warming drawer when you are cooking multiple foods at once and want one part of the meal that was prepared earlier to stay warm. For example, keep the dessert warming in the drawer while the main course is cooking. 4. **Look for a humidity controller.** Warming drawers often come with a humidity controller. You can use this option to keep foods from drying out. For instance, keep your bread rolls in the warming drawer to prevent them from drying out, or adjust the humidity to keep your French fries crisp. 5. **Avoid cooking food in the warming drawer.** A warming drawer is slightly different from a broiler. It does keep food warm, but it is not meant to cook the food. Attempting to cook food in the warming drawer can be dangerous because bacteria can develop at a low temperature. Some warming drawers have a slow cooker option. Read your manual to see if your oven has this option. 6. **Store baking and cooking supplies.** Storage drawers are most often used for cooking supplies. For example, you can put your pots, pans, and skillets in this drawer. To get the most out of your space, invert the lids on pans to avoid the handles getting in the way of the door. Do not overload the drawer, or it will be difficult to easily retrieve whatever item you’re looking for. 7. **Use the drawer for long items.** You can also use this drawer to store items that don’t easily fit in other storage containers because of their length. For example, you can put items such as barbecue grilling tools, servings trays, platters, and other serving utensils in this drawer. Though the drawer can store a variety of things, it is better to store things that are used to cook, bake, or serve food. 8. **Put small items into containers.** Smaller items, like, utensils can easily get mixed up inside of a storage drawer. Use containers, dividers, or boxes to keep them in place. Store the items according to use. 9. **Store special items in the drawer.** If your drawer is difficult to access, use it store items you only use on special occasions or for entertainment. You can store holiday cookie trays, or cooking utensils that aren’t commonly used. You may not want to keep expensive platters in this drawer just in case crumbs fall through. 10. **Check the heating source.** A bottom drawer broiler is most common in gas stoves. If you have a gas stove that has a bottom heating source, then your bottom drawer is most likely a broiler. The trays for the broiler will be a maximum of five inches from the heating source. 11. **Read the instructions.** If you are still not sure what your bottom drawer is meant for, the best way to know is to consult the instructions that came with the oven. The instructions will tell you if it is a pull-out broiler drawer and how to use it properly. You can most likely find instructions or product features for your brand of oven online if you no longer have the instructions. 12. **Cook your food within 5 to 10 minutes.** You can put the food on a grated broiler pan, or use a cast-iron skillet. Foods cooked in a broiler will typically be finished within 5 to 10 minutes. Foods like fresh vegetables that can be cooked quickly, thin-cut meats, and tender foods are best to broil because usually only the outer surface of the food is cooked. You can also cook foods in the oven first and then put them in the broiler to finish and vice versa.

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How to Cite a Book

When you're writing a research paper, a citation lets your readers know which words or ideas are not your own. Generally, you'll place an in-text citation at the end of every sentence in which you've either paraphrased or quoted ideas or language from the source. That in-text citation points your reader to the full citation in the reference list at the end of your paper. While the basic information included in a citation for a book is the same, the format varies among the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), and Chicago citation styles. 1. **Begin your Works Cited entry with the name of the author.** Type the author's last name first, followed by a comma and a space. Then type the author's first name. If the author's middle name or middle initial are included on the title page for the book, include those as well. Place a period at the end of the author's name. Example: Gleick, James. If the book has 2 or 3 authors, separate authors' names with commas, using the word "and" before the last author's name. Only the first author's name is inverted. For example: Gillespie, Paul and Neal Lerner. If the book has more than 3 authors, use the first author's name, followed by a comma and the Latin abbreviation "et. al." For example: Wysocki, Anne Frances, et. al. 2. **Provide the title of the book in italics.** Type the title of the book using title case, capitalizing all nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, and other words with more than 4 letters. If the book has a subtitle, type a colon and a space at the end of the title, then add the subtitle. Place a period at the end. Example: Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. 3. **Include the publisher and year of publication.** Type the name of the publisher of the book, followed by a comma and a space. Then type the year the book was published. Place a period at the end of your citation. Example: Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. Penguin, 1987. If you used an ebook rather than a print edition, list the type of ebook as a "version" or "edition" of the book, before the publisher's name. For example: Gleick, James. Chaos: Making a New Science. Kindle ed., Penguin, 1987. 4. **Use the author's name and page number for in-text citations.** Whenever you paraphrase or quote from the book, place a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence, inside the closing punctuation. Include the author's last name and the page number or page range where the material can be found. For example, you might write: "While weather can be expressed in averages and statistics, the reality of nature is that nothing ever happens exactly the same way twice (Gleick 12)." If you use the author's name in the body of your paper, only include the page number or page range in your parenthetical citation. 5. **List the author's name and date of publication.** Start your Reference List entry with the author's last name, followed by a comma and a space. Then type the author's first initial (and middle initial, if given). Separate the names of multiple authors with commas, placing an ampersand (&) before the last author's name. Add the year of publication in parentheses. Place a period outside the closing parentheses. Example: Calfee, R. C., & Valencia, R. R. (1991). 6. **Provide the title of the book in italics.** Type the title of the book in sentence case, capitalizing only the first word and any proper nouns in the title. If the book has a subtitle, add it in sentence case after the title. Use a colon to separate the title and the subtitle. Place a period at the end. Example: Calfee, R. C., & Valencia, R. R. (1991). APA guide to preparing manuscripts for journal publication. If you used an ebook, provide the ebook type in square brackets after the title. Do not italicize the bracketed information. Place the period outside the closing brackets rather than at the end of the title. For example: Calfee, R. C., & Valencia, R. R. (1991). APA guide to preparing manuscripts for journal publication [Kindle ed.]. 7. **Close with the location and name of the publisher.** For US and Canadian publications, provide the name of the city and the 2-letter postal abbreviation for the city or state. For all other publications, list the name of the city and the name of the country. Type a colon and a space, then the name of the publisher. Place a period at the end of the name of the publisher. Example: Calfee, R. C., & Valencia, R. R. (1991). APA guide to preparing manuscripts for journal publication. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 8. **Use the author's last name and date of publication for in-text citations.** Whenever you paraphrase or quote material from your source, provide a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence. List the author's last name, followed by a comma, then the year the book was published. For example, you might write: "A journal article is tighter and more restrained than a dissertation (Calfee & Valencia, 1991)." If you include the author's name in the body of your paper, add a parenthetical immediately after the name with the year of publication. When you quote from the source directly, include the page number or page range where the quoted material can be found in your citation. Place a comma after the year of publication, then the abbreviation "p." or "pp." followed by the page number or range. 9. **Provide the name of the author or authors.** In your bibliography, type the author's last name first, followed by a comma and a space. Type the author's first name, followed by their middle name or initial, if given. For multiple authors, only reverse the order of the first author's name. Separate authors' names with commas, using the word "and" before the last author's name. Place a period at the end. Example: Mock, Douglas W., and Geoffrey A. Parker. 10. **Add the title of the book in italics.** Type the title of the book in title case, capitalizing only the first word, nouns, pronouns, verbs, and adverbs. If the book has a subtitle, place a colon at the end of the title to introduce the subtitle. Type the title of the subtitle in title case. End with a period. Example: Mock, Douglas W., and Geoffrey A. Parker. The Evolution of Sibling Rivalry. 11. **Close with publication information.** Type the place of publication, followed by a colon and a space. Type the name of the publisher, followed by a comma and a space. Then type the year the book was published. Place a period at the end of your bibliography entry. Example: Mock, Douglas W., and Geoffrey A. Parker. The Evolution of Sibling Rivalry. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997. If you accessed an ebook rather than a print book, indicate the ebook edition at the end of the citation. For example: Mock, Douglas W., and Geoffrey A. Parker. The Evolution of Sibling Rivalry. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997. Kindle edition. 12. **Adjust your format when writing in-text footnotes.** When you paraphrase or quote your source, place a superscript footnote number at the end of the sentence. The footnote includes the same information as the bibliography entry, formatted differently. Don't reverse any names, and use commas instead of periods to separate elements of the citation. Place the publication information in parentheses. Close your footnote with the page number or range where the paraphrased or quoted material can be found, followed by a period. Example: Douglas W. Mock and Geoffrey A. Parker, The Evolution of Sibling Rivalry (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997), 72.

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How to Organize Your Middle School Binder

If you're a middle school student, you know how easy it is to lose track of a handout or homework assignment. Follow these instructions to organize them by class, so you never have to flip through dozens of unsorted papers again. If you can fit all your papers into one or two binders, it will be harder to forget a notebook. 1. **Sort your papers by class.** If your binder or notebooks are full of notes from different classes, in no particular order, start by arranging them into separate piles. Arrange these piles in a row according to the order you attend those classes. 2. **Go through each stack and remove old papers.** Remove graded work and old assignment instructions, and store them in a separate binder or folder to leave at home and help you study for tests. Set aside classwork from previous years, returned projects, and non-school-related papers. Save any of these that you think will be useful for studying, along with any projects you or your parents want to keep for your own enjoyment. Throw away the rest. Keep the "at home" binder or folders in an obvious place where they won't get lost in clutter, such as on a bookshelf in your room. 3. **See if you can fit the remaining papers into one binder.** Having just one binder for all your classes can be great for keeping yourself organized, since you don't have to keep track of a separate notebook for each class. If you have a giant stack of papers, try to separate them into two binders using one of these systems: Try using one binder for classes before lunch, and one binder for classes after lunch. If you have a locker at your school, you only need to carry one of these around at a time, but remember to pick up both before you leave for the day. If your school has Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes and Tuesday-Thursday classes, separate your papers into two binders so you only need to take one binder to school each day. Remember to put the right binder in your backpack the night before each school day. 4. **Insert a colored divider into your binder for each class.** Dividers are just a colored sheet of paper, usually with a small tab where you can write the name of a class. Put colored dividers into the binder in the order your classes happen. For instance, if your first class is math and your second is English, put a blue divider labeled "Math" at the front of your binder, followed by a red divider labeled "English." 5. **Insert a three-hole folder into each class section.** Two-pocket folders are a great tool to have, since they let you put in and take out papers without having to open and close the binder rings. Don't use this for all papers. It's best for handouts or homework assignments that are due in the next day or two, since they won't be staying in the binder for long. 6. **Use a plastic sleeve to protect important papers.** Most classes have a syllabus, assignment list, or other papers that you need to look at throughout the semester. For each class, find a plastic sleeve or "sheet" protector with three holes and put it in the binder after the folder for that class. Keep each important paper in a separate sleeve to protect it from tearing. 7. **Organize your other papers to see if you need white dividers.** Before you put the rest of the papers in your binder, organize the papers from each class from oldest to newest. If you have more than fifteen papers in the stack, use white paper dividers to organize them into categories. These are blank sheets with tabs, just like the colored plastic dividers you already have in there, but the different look should make it obvious that they divide papers within one class, instead of dividing multiple classes. Here are some examples of how you could divide papers from one class into multiple sections: For almost any class, you could use three white paper dividers labeled "Handouts," "Homework," and "Notes." If a teacher gives you tests on specific topics, organize your class material by those topics to make studying easier. For instance, label your English class dividers "Reading Assignments" and "Vocabulary." 8. **Put in the rest of your papers.** Once you've decided how to sort your papers, put each paper after the colored divider for its class, and after the white divider for its category if you are using those. Sort your papers in each section from earliest to latest, to make them easier to find. 9. **Add lined paper for taking notes.** Put in about ten to twenty sheets of lined paper for each class. You'll almost certainly need more than this during the semester, but you don't need to add it all now. Keeping less paper in your binder makes it easier to find specific notes, and reduces the weight you need to carry around every day. Add graph paper for your math or science classes if your teacher requests it. 10. **Organize your binder each night before class.** Pick a time each day to go through your backpack and sort your papers and other supplies. Move graded work and old handouts to a folder you keep at home, so you can use them to study later. Check that all your homework assignments are packed into the right folder in your binder. Some people remember to do this more often if they organize their binder right after they get home. Waiting too long can make you unwilling to return to "school mode." 11. **Use a planner.** A daily planner or portable calendar makes keeping track of assignments much easier, as well as of upcoming quizzes, tests, exams, and project due dates. Many people write down each assignment in the space provided for the day it is due. If you keep forgetting to look ahead at your assignment, however, you can try a different system that keeps all your current assignments in the same place: Each time you are given a new assignment, write it down in your planner in the space for today' date. Write the due date next to the name of the assignment. Each evening after school, look at your planner's entry for yesterday's date. Cross out any assignments you've completed, then re-write the names of all uncompleted assignments in today's date. Instead of a paper calendar or agenda book, you can use an application, such as Google Calendar. Choose whatever works better for you. 12. **Keep supplies left at home in a special place.** Notebooks, binders, and returned assignments can easily get lost in a pile of clutter when you leave them at home. Prevent this by clearing space on a bookshelf or drawer, and always keep your notebooks in the same place. Put all papers left at home in a special folder for that class, separate from the one in your binder. 13. **Color code your other supplies to match your binder.** Ideally, you won't need extra notebooks, but some teachers will require you to use them. If they do, make it easy to remember which is which by keeping them color coded. For example, if you keep your math papers after a blue divider in your binder, use a blue notebook and supply case for your math class.

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How to Be Manly

Manliness is something many aspire to, but few achieve. Unfortunately, manliness isn't a single skill you can practice. Rather, it's a spectrum of traits that should be developed over a lifetime. By honing your manly traits, you're making the most of your physical, mental, and emotional potential. Be warned - being manly isn't easy, nor should it be - real men relish challenges. 1. **Get fit.** Manly men don't have to look like Conan the Barbarian, but they do need to take care of their bodies. Fellow people alike admire strength and athleticism. If you're not already in good shape, immediately set aside some time in your schedule to exercise every day. Exercise will make you look and feel better. It can also help thwart depression, making you much better-suited for pursuing your other masculine goals. Here are some steps you can take to develop your own manly physicality. Lift weights. Strength-training exercises help build manly muscles and burn fat. Use proper technique and proceed slowly if you're new to weightlifting - you can hurt yourself with bad form. If you're unsure of how to proceed and you can afford it, hire a personal trainer. They will help you craft an exercise routine that fits your precise needs. Manly men are aware of the image they project - stand up straight and walk with purpose. A good posture makes you look confident and may even make you feel more confident. A slumped posture appears beaten or submissive. If you have high body fat, consider dieting. Dieting isn't feminine, it’s responsible. Losing weight can decrease your risk for heart disease and other common health issues later in life. 2. **Relish responsibility.** Real men don't run from challenges or try to shirk their obligations. Rather, they take pride in being reliable and responsible. If other people feel like they can trust you, you'll quickly learn to trust yourself, which will bring increased confidence. Responsibility comes in many forms, depending on the roles you take on. Here are just a few aspects of life that may require you to take on new responsibility: If you're a husband or father, become a leader in your family. Take an active role in child-raising and/or balance the household budget, for instance. If you're a boyfriend, be a mature, reliable one. Plan dates and outings without being asked. Be emotionally available for your significant other when they need it. If you have a career, commit yourself to it. Take on challenging projects, even if it occasionally means staying late or working overtime. Be the one person your boss can trust - you'll earn much respect (and also job security!) Emulate manly role models who excel in their careers and home life, whether they're familiar friends or famous heroes. 3. **Be a sexual dynamo.** Now for the fun stuff! Masculine men are sexually confident - they know they're the most attractive person in the room, so they don't make idiots of themselves by trying too hard. Instead, they coolly and confidently approach people they find attractive and allow their charming, friendly personality to naturally steer conversations toward flirtation. Masculine men are direct about what they want, but they're not boorish or arrogant. They like to have fun, but they always remember that their sexual prospects are human beings with their own needs and wants. If you're single, work on your sexual confidence. Try to be dominant in your flirtatious conversations and in the bedroom. Don't get emotionally invested in relationships that don't exist yet! If you're inexperienced, begin simply by getting out more. Talk to attractive people you meet without fear - if there's a mutual attraction, you might hit it off, and if not, you'll still get better at talking confidently. Apply these principles to any committed relationships you find yourself in. Keep your confidence around your partner or spouse - surprise them by seducing them like you'd seduce someone you're meeting for the first time. 4. **Improve your emotional health.** A common misconception is that manly men have no emotions other than anger. Nothing could be further from the truth. Manly men experience a full spectrum of emotions - joy, sadness, regret, contentment, and every shade in between. However, a man never loses control of his emotions. He never allows himself to get so angry that he does something stupid. He never allows himself to get so sad that he ignores his responsibilities. He does what he needs to do to ensure he's emotionally ready to take charge of his life. Honestly critique your emotional state - do your experience certain emotions illogically? Tackle your weaknesses head-on. Talk to friends or a counselor to put your emotional state in a new perspective. Anyone can experience clinical depression, but depressed men are more likely to commit suicide. Depression can also lead men to neglect their family and career. If you are depressed, It's not manly to pretend nothing's wrong. 5. **Sharpen your intellect.** ’Manly’ men aren't just sexy, strong brutes - they're clever as well. They don't have to be "book-smart," but they do have to be open to learning throughout their whole life. A manly man has an opinion about almost everything, but his opinions won't be well-informed if he's not open to learning. Whatever your level of education, be as smart as you can be - it'll help you negotiate business deals, defuse arguments at home, make better decisions, and, most importantly, live a full, well-rounded life. Take up a hobby! It's never too late to learn a musical instrument or a new language. Join a debate team! Learning how to effectively argue is an important skill in almost all aspects of life. Take classes at your local community college. You'll find new passions. If you're ever proven wrong about something, admit it and move on. You gain nothing by obstinately refusing to change your mind. 6. **Develop rewarding interpersonal relationships.** Manly men should be confident on their own, but they shouldn't be loners. Cultivating an active social life is great for your career aspirations (networking is a great way to get job referrals), but it's also a great way to meet single people. Plus, it's just plain fun. Get out there and meet people today! Seek leadership roles in organizations. You'll meet plenty of people and earn their respect. Join sports teams. Sports are a great way to improve your social life and your health at the same time. Save your tenderest, most intimate emotions for your relationships, but be a rock on whom the more emotional can lean on. 7. **Be distinct.** Manly men may prize certain people as role models, but they aspire to be no one but themselves. Be unique - don't buy in to fads or trends. Cultivate your own style and you'll never be mistaken for anyone else.The way you dress, speak, and carry yourself makes a lasting impression on people. Make sure it's an unforgettable one. Never agree with someone just to fit in. Real men are self-assured, comfortable respectfully disagreeing with others when it's needed. Do things that you like to do, without considering what other people will think. Do you like knitting, for instance? Then work at becoming the world's manliest knitter. 8. **Stay at your physical peak.** Don't rest on your laurels - continue to work out every day, even if it's just to maintain the progress you've already made. A strong, healthy body makes every other aspect of life easier. You'll have more energy to work, play, and love like a man. Enjoy your new strength and athleticism, but don't let it go to your head. Don't boast or show off unless it's in good humor - doing so is a sign of desperation for others' approval, not of confidence. Pay attention to what you put into your body. Count your calories and avoid unhealthy foods. 9. **Foster your curiosity.** Stubborn close-mindedness often gets mistaken for manliness. In fact, it's far manlier to actively seek out new experiences - you can't strive for personal growth if you never step out of your comfort zone. Always try new things, provided you do so safely. It will broaden your horizons. You'll begin to learn what you like and what you don't like. You'll discover skills you didn't know you had. You'll be more interesting to your friends and sexier to women. Be open to relationships with new kinds of people. Talk to everyone - you may find that people with different perspectives on life can inform your own opinions. Take on new responsibilities at work and at home. Even if, for instance, you discover that you're not the best at paying your household's bills, you'll learn the process, which is a gift in itself. 10. **Challenge yourself every day.** "Manly" isn't an easy thing to be. It's a quality marked by hard work and struggle. Teddy Roosevelt, one of the manliest men to ever live, had to work hard for years to overcome his poor health and achieve manliness. By overcoming obstacles, you move closer to the manly ideal. Tackle life's difficulties head-on! Often, the biggest challenges can come with the day-in, day-out grinds of sustaining a career and a home life. In this case, the challenge may be something as simple as going to bed earlier so that you can wake up to take your child to school. Just because these challenges aren't glamorous doesn't mean they're not hard! Seek new challenges out. If your career and home life aren't challenging, make new challenges for yourself! Sign up for a marathon 11. **Enjoy competition.** You're not the only manly man in the world - eventually, you'll find yourself in competition with someone who's also confident, strong, and self-assured. Give it all you've got - a genuine competition is a great chance to test the manly skills you've worked hard to develop. Even if you don't win, you'll learn, and you'll be better-prepared to succeed the next time you find yourself locking horns with another ’alpha male’. If you win, be a gracious winner. Shake their hand, look them in the eye, and never gloat. Reflect on the qualities you possess that led you to victory, as well as the ones that made victory more difficult. If you lose, lose responsibly. give up before the competition is over, even if your odds seem slim. Don't whine or make excuse for yourself. Instead, try to find out why you lost so that you can devote extra practice to these areas, 12. **Above all, be the best man you can be in every aspect of your life.** No one is perfect - even the most masculine men make mistakes and experience great difficulty. Adversity is no reason to quit. Strive for the confident, strong masculine ideal even when it eludes you. Remember, no one is born ’manly’. It's something that must be eked out through hard work, struggle and sacrifice. When in doubt, remember that some of the manliest people ever had their own periods of darkness. Here are just a few examples: Mr. T. had a very rough life before he found fame. Raised in one of Chicago's roughest housing projects and expelled from college after only one year, he worked as a bouncer and bodyguard for years before landing his first film role. John Wayne, once the epitome of American Masculinity, struggled through three marriages and a cigarette addiction that gave him cancer. Still, he kept his manliness to the end. Long before he was Rocky, Sylvester Stallone was a desperate, struggling young actor. For three weeks, he was homeless, sleeping in the New York Port Authority bus station until he got his first starring role - in a porno. He didn't become well-known until years later. 13. **Treat everyone with respect.** Whether you're dating a woman or not, you should all people them like a gentleman would. This doesn't mean subscribing to outdated ideas of chivalry (like, for instance, pushing in their chair for them). Rather, it means that you should extend their the respect and goodwill you would give a serious colleague. Listen to them when they talk. Respect their opinions, even if you disagree with them. Most importantly, treat everyone, regardless of gender, like an equal - they are. No need to handle women with kid gloves. Many women love raunchy humor as much as men do. Making jokes (even lewd ones) with women isn't treating them disrespectfully - it's showing that you consider her enough of an equal to let your emotional guard down. Get a sense of a woman's personality first, then, if she seems game, joke away. On the other hand, avoid the use of gendered insults like "bitch," even if you're just joking. It's easy to make a bad habit of using these words and even easier to have your intentions be misunderstood. Manly men don't hurt peoples' feelings on the basis of their gender. Never, ever commit an act of violence against a woman - it's one of the least-manly things you can do. That of course does not mean that you have to allow a woman (or anybody else) to be violent, abusive or disrespectful toward you or anybody. Strength and violence are different things. To stop an abuse is a must, but does not necessarily need violence; use your brain power, instead. 14. **Treat men with respect as well.** It's easy to respect your guy friends. It's much harder to respect the creep in the office who always breathes over your shoulder. A manly man does both. Manly men bully or humiliate people. They also avoid participating in gossip. Anything you would scold your son for doing on the playground, you should avoid doing in the adult world. Many times, annoying men won't even know they're annoying. If someone at the office has really bad breath, take them aside quietly and recommend some breath mints. Don't tease them in front of everyone at lunch. There's no reason to make someone suffer for something they're unaware of. Life will sometimes require you to compete with other men. Compete as hard as you can, but remember that these men aren't evil just because they're in competition with you. They deserve your respect even as you work against them. 15. **Be ambitious (but not greedy.** Pursue excellence in your career and enjoy the rewards that you earn through your hard work, but never compromise your integrity or your family life for material wealth. The happiness you get from money is a fraction compared to what a happy home and family can offer. Act ethically in all your business dealings. Be competitive, but don't be a backstabber - a manly man never throws someone else under the bus for his own advancement. Being honorable at work is its own reward. Coworkers and supervisors will notice your hard work. You'll earn the respect of your workplace and, more importantly, job security. Seek out new responsibilities at work, but don't become so invested in your career that you neglect yourself or your family. If taking on a new duty means you won't ever be able to see your children before they go to sleep, pass it up. 16. **Be a family man.** Your family should come first - before your career and even before yourself. This responsibility becomes even bigger if you have children. Make sure to spend time with your family, even if you're already working very hard. They'll return your love. Take your children to visit their grandparents. Spend an occasional weekend at the beach. Attend your children's sports games and school plays. The time you spend fostering love in your family is the time you'll remember most fondly in your old age. A survey of over 1,000 UK parents showed they overwhelmingly valued time with their family over material wealth. If given the chance between working the whole weekend to put money away for a new car and spending the weekend with your family, opt for the one that will make you happier.

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How to Be Tumblr Famous

Tumblr is a great way to become popular on the Internet, especially if you know how to get and keep followers. But how does one achieve the elusive "Tumblr fame" that is coveted by so many? See step 1 to get some insight on ways you can become Tumblr famous. 1. **Pick a catchy username.** You want to pick a username that people remember, so try to avoid using a bunch of numbers (like rockergurl555666.tumblr.com) because people won't remember it, or be intrigued by it. If you can, pick a clever or odd username that people will want to ask you about, or that link to the theme you want for your tumblr (if it's a fandom blog about Teen Wolf, use something that refers to your part in the fandom [like if Allison is your favorite character, have something that links to her]) or if you interested in mythology choose a mythology type username (especially something that is lesser known, because there is less likelihood that someone has already taken that username). 2. **Pick a theme for your Tumblr.** This is a many-pronged step, because you'll need to pick a specific theme for your Tumblr (i.e. how the blog looks) as well as what you want your Tumblr to specifically focus on. You can build your own custom Tumblr theme, if you want to be really unique, but you have to know how to write html. Try to make one that corresponds to the overall content theme of your Tumblr. If it's good enough, or interesting enough, people might want to use it themselves. You can make it possible for people to use your theme, if you want. For the theme of your blog think back to your username. Are you most interested in a fandom blog, an art blog, a fashion blog, a social justice blog? Having a personal blog is fine, but you won't collect as many followers as you will with a theme-specific Tumblr. 3. **Understand the difference between reblogging and reposting.** Reposting is basically considered to be stealing, since you're uploading the original content of someone else, while reblogging shows where the original post came from, usually linking back to the artist, .gif maker, or text post. Reposting is very bad form, so if you're uploading content make sure that it's content that's original to you. Especially if you get to be Tumblr famous, the repost will probably get back to the original creator. Don't repost stuff from weheartit, because most of their content has been stolen from the original creators and that sort of behavior won't make you terribly popular. 4. **Learn about tagging.** Tagging your posts properly is a great way to get likes and reblogs and have people take notice of the things that you're posting on your Tumblr. If you tag your posts, people who follow those particular tags will see the post. If they're interested they might like it or reblog it and if your blog has similar content they may even start following you. You can use multiple tags and they work in the following ways: if you have a lot of similar content on your Tumblr, you can make specific tags for it and reuse those each post (for example, if you post a lot of Star Trek: The Original Series, you could have a specific tag you use for that). If there's a holiday coming up a lot of people tag for that (for example, Halloween). Remember to be careful while tagging. If you are interested in a particular ship (relationship between two characters, typically romantic) and there's a rival ship (a pairing that puts one of the characters from your ship with a different character), don't start writing posts about how much you hate that pairing and then tag it with that tag. You will not make friends and gain followers with that method. 5. **Learning about following.** Following basically means that you follow a Tumblr. You can be in a mutual follow with someone, meaning that they follow you and you follow them, or you can follow someone and they don't follow you, or someone follows you and you don't follow them. (Some popular blogs- brohaydo.tumblr.com , stupid-galaxies.tumblr.com) People who tend to have lots of followers, don't typically follow you back the second you follow them. That's okay. If you get to know them, interact and talk with them, they'll be more likely to follow you. Follow people whose content is similar to yours, or who are part of the niche area you've chosen. You'll be more likely to get into the niche and start recognising the big names in it. 6. **Pay attention to statistics.** Take a look at posts of yours that get more likes than other ones and lean towards posts that are in a similar fashion to those that are more popular than some of your others. 7. **Find your niche.** While some personal Tumblrs do end up getting famous, they're usually the ones of people who are already famous like authors, actors, or comic artists. Even some popular fanfiction writers can become popular based on their fanfiction writing and still maintain a heavily followed personal blog (although they do tend to reblog and post things about specific fandoms). Think about your interests: you can blog about things like dance, photography, art, writing, social justice, various fandoms (books, movies, t.v. shows). These are all very different parts of Tumblr, so you'll need to choose which you're going to go for, if you want to be famous on the website. Some examples of Tumblrs that have gotten incredibly popular: medievalpoc.tumblr.com, venushowell.tumblr.com, omgthatdress.tumblr.com, oldloves.tumblr.com, compendiously.tumblr.com, twitterthecomic.tumblr.com, clipart.tumblr.com You'll notice that Tumblrs like these have one specific theme and tend to generate their own content (so that other people reblog them). 8. **Pay attention to who is getting Tumblr famous.** Look around at the people in your niche and see who has lots of followers and who gets reblogged all the time. Check out what their Tumblr theme is like? How do they interact with followers? Check out the posts they make. Are there lots of text posts (with things like social justice rants, or meta on a t.v. show, or poetry)? Do they share personal things? Are they funny (humor is something that can elevate you to popularity)? If they are writing text posts, are they long and rambling or short and to the point? It really depends on your niche, what kinds of posts are most sought after. Do they make or post lots of .gifs? What is the quality of the .gifs? Do they link t.v. scenes with popular quotes? See if they mix things up with pictures. Check out the quality of the images, and how the aesthetic matches their Tumblr. Do they post many pictures of themselves, or not at all? Pay attention to your own posts that your followers are interested in, which posts are liked and reblogged the most. You can generate more content like those and will probably start accumulating more followers. 9. **Talk to Tumblr famous people.** You especially want to find the people who are famous in your niche. Don't just ask them to promote you to their followers, ask them questions and engage with them on a more personal level. A lot of times Tumblr famous people will post the little surveys that go around Tumblr asking about things like favorite fictional character, first kiss, food they eat most often. This is a good way of getting to know them and allowing them to get to know you. Check their FAQ's page first (this is their frequently asked questions) to see what sort of behavior is appropriate. They may not like having people ask for promos (and never make someone feel like that's the only reason you're contacting them) and what sort of questions they're tired of getting asked. Once you've gotten on a friendly basis with them, maybe drop a line asking if they would check out some aspect of your blog and promote it to their followers. It's especially good if you have a specific thing in mind (like you're writing a fanfiction, or poetry, or you've just started trying out a new fashion look). If you're polite and specific about it, they probably won't mind helping you out. 10. **Do promos.** Now these are hard to do well, but they can help you gain more followers and more recognition, but they can also irritate people, so they are to be used carefully. Basically, getting a promo means having someone promote your Tumblr on their Tumblr, and you can do a mutual promoting, etc. What you really want is to have someone who has a lot of followers in your niche do the promoting. A promo for promo (p4p) is basically where you promote someone on your blog and they promote you on their blog. The nice thing about this way is that your followers and their followers only are seeing one blog and not having to look through a list of promotions. Of course, if the person you're promoting with doesn't have that many followers, you're not going to get much success out of it. A double promo is basically a regular promo, only with two people running the show. If you're following both of them, then you have the chance to get promoted by both of them, which can be good because it reaches a greater number of potential followers. Solo promo is where you're the only one getting promoted. This can come when you're friends with one of the more Tumblr famous people, who talks about you on their blog, or recommends you to their followers. 11. **Make original posts.** One of the keys to getting to be a Tumblr famous person is to have a blog that is original. It sounds clichéd, but it's actually true. The posts that spread around Tumblr like wildfire are the ones that are original, therefore everyone wants to reblog what they said, or the art they made, etc. You'll need to come up with your own original posts, and they can be anything that has to do with your niche subject. You can make original text posts. This means writing meta about t.v. shows or books, if that's your niche, or dissecting bad literature. It means putting your opinions and your ideas out there for people to see. That may seem scary, but, even if people don't agree with your ideas, they'll still be engaging you and then other people will see and be intrigued. (This is not to say that you should go around making racists or sexist, etc. comments and then say "but that's just my opinion;" be polite.) Learn to make your own .gifs, especially if you're in fandom. Then people will be interested in reblogging your work, rather than you only reblogging the work of other people. In fact, people might even ask you to make .gifs, if you're good enough. Post your own artwork, whatever it is: drawing, photography, creative writing (fanfiction counts). It will get your artwork out there and make sure that your Tumblr has lots of original content. 12. **Be consistent about blogging.** Consistency is another key to being Tumblr famous. Even when the famous folks aren't around to blog, they usually have set up a queue, which means that the blog continues publishing content even when the blogger isn't there. Make sure that you respond to people, particularly since the more people you talk to on Tumblr the more likely you'll get steadily more popular and have more followers. 13. **Be patient.** There really is no way to get Tumblr famous overnight, except by accident (people have had a rather insignificant text post take off like wildfire around the site, but that's as likely as getting struck by lightning). Forge relationships with people and you'll find that you'll start getting more and more followers. Remember that a lot of people who are Tumblr famous now have been on Tumblr for several years and have taken time to accumulate followers and get accustomed to how things work.

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How to Become IATA Certified

As a travel agent, International Air Transport Association (IATA) accreditation is one of the best ways to take your career to the next level. To secure your IATA certification, we’ll show you how to complete the initial application, answer the questionnaire, and provide documentation of your experience. Although the application process can feel quite overwhelming, rest assured that we’ve got your back. You’ll have your certification in no time! 1. **Create an IATA online customer profile.** Go to http://www.iata.org/customer-portal/Pages/index.aspx and click on the “Not Yet Registered?” link. You will then be asked to enter your email address and personal contact information. You'll also need to select a profile password for future use. If you have questions for IATA or need to check the status of your application, you can do so through your personal portal. 2. **Read through the Travel Agent's Handbook.** This is an electronic publication that can be found on the IATA website's http://www.iata.org/services/accreditation/travel-tourism/Pages/tah.aspx. It contains detailed information regarding applying for certification and how to stay certified over time. After you've worked your way through the text, reach out to IATA customer service with any questions. 3. **Download an application packet.** Once you open up iatan.org/Documents/accreditation-kit.zip, you'll see a full accreditation kit with step-by-step instructions. You can either save this document and fill it out as a pdf for email submission or print everything out to mail it in. Alternatively, you can go to the link for “Accreditation Application” found in your IATA personal portal website to submit everything online. You can also download the application packet at http://www.iatan.org/accreditation/Pages/application-forms.aspx. 4. **Complete the initial application.** This document is in the form of a basic questionnaire. It will ask for contact information at the start. Then, it progresses on to more detailed questions to verify your eligibility for certification. Your application will be assessed by the local AIP on the basis of the following criteria: financial record and standing; staff qualifications and experience; identification and accessibility of premises; and security and procedures. Do not embellish or lie on a resume. For example, say you have five years of experience when you have only five months of experience. Do not say you went to a school, college, or prestigious high school if you did not go to it. The systems and teams can research and find out the truth. Do not try to bulk up a resume with a bunch of fillers. It's okay if it's a half-page resume if that's all you have at that time. People have short attention spans. So make the content clear. 5. **Provide evidence of your regular business operations.** Print out documents from your official website showing the hours that you provide services to customers. It's also helpful if you can attach a copy of your agreement to serve as a branch of a larger corporation. If you are not part of a branch, then you'll need to provide documentation showing that you are a solo operator and provide only inclusive tour offerings. 6. **Document the qualifications of your staff.** If you are an agency with multiple agents, then you must show that at least 1 of them has met the professional criteria to operate a business in your local area. If you are a solo agent, then you must submit your business license or copies of any other certifications that you've received. These documents serve as proof of qualifications. For example, training courses can count towards showing a minimal level of experience and training required to become certified, as long as they were offered by the IATA. Scan in and submit copies of any training certifications. 7. **Send along proof showing prior travel experience.** If you've worked for an IATA accredited agent or airline in the past, then include this information in your resume and application materials. If you can send along a letter from that employer or documentation of employment, then that's even better. The IATA is particularly interested in experience that shows a prior knowledge of airline operations and ticketing procedures. You could even submit a copy of a prior business card as proof of travel employment experience. 8. **Provide financial and bank statements from the last year.** The IATA will only certify agents or agencies that are on firm financial footing. As part of your application package, send along copies of all of your professional bank transactions for the past year at least. Any loan or insurance paperwork pertaining to your agency should also be included. Put these materials in chronological order, so that the AIP can browse through them quickly. Include the full bank account records showing both deposits and withdrawals for the prior year. 9. **Submit the application and evidentiary materials via email, mail, or the portal.** Once your application is completed, if you started it on the portal, then simply follow the prompts to submit it online. Otherwise, you can email a pdf version of your application to: info@iatan.org. Alternatively, you can mail in a printed copy of your application to the IATA headquarters. The IATA mailing address for applications is:703 Waterford Way, Suite 600Miami, Florida USA33126. Your notarized evidentiary documents must be submitted at the same time as your application. Scan them in and submit them as pdfs via the portal or email. Or, keep them in print form and mail them in. 10. **Pay the accreditation fee once you are contacted by the IATA.** This fee is payable in U.S. dollars and is due after the IATA acknowledges receipt of your application forms. They will then send you an instruction sheet listing your fee amount and how to pay. You'll have to log in to your patient portal in order to pay your fee with a credit card. The fee is usually around $165 for self-employed agents and over $300 for full or corporate travel agencies. 11. **Send along any additional materials as requested.** After an initial review of your application, the AIP might contact you to ask for more information or documentation. If this happens, get the materials together for them as quickly as possible. In most cases, they are simply trying to fill in gaps from your application timeline. For example, they might ask that you send along a particular financial statement that might have been left out from the prior packet. 12. **Receive notification of your certification.** When your application has been approved you will get an official letter showing the date of your accreditation. You'll also receive a certificate to display in your office. The acceptance documentation will show your IATA numeric code, which is a unique ID that you'll use for future IATA transactions. It will take at least 2 weeks for your application to be approved. 13. **Request reconsideration of a rejected application.** If the IATA panel turns down your request for certification, then they will notify you of your exact reasons for rejection. This gives you a chance to strengthen your application and ask for a review. You can request a review within 30 days of your initial application's rejection. 14. **Notify the IATA with name or location changes.** If you are an IATA member and decide to change some of your basic membership details, then you'll need clearance from the IATA beforehand. Contact your local branch representative and discuss your plans. Failure to do so could jeopardize your IATA certification status. 15. **Comply with any requests for future accreditation reviews.** The IATA reserves the right to ask for evidence of good financial standing at any point during your membership period. If you receive a request for business documentation from the IATA, comply as soon as possible. These periodic and random reviews are required of all IATA members.

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How to Recognize Trichomoniasis Symptoms (Women)

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects both men and women. It is a widespread but curable STI that only causes symptoms in approximately 15-30% of infected individuals, and the symptoms of the disease are more easily identifiable in women. In women, trichomoniasis is called trichomonas vaginalis and sometimes referred to as "trich" (trick). However, trichomoniasis can only be diagnosed by a health care provider by running tests and can't be diagnosed by symptoms alone. 1. **Monitor your vaginal discharge.** For most women, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal and can range from being clear to milky white. Abnormal discharge will look greenish-yellow and frothy. A strong odour is also a sign of abnormal discharge. Trichomoniasis is spread through contact with vaginal discharge which happens most often during vaginal intercourse. However, non-sexual transmission can sometimes occur from penetration from other items like douche nozzles. Fortunately, the parasite can only last up to 24 hours outside of the body. 2. **Recognize abnormal genital symptoms.** Trichomoniasis can cause redness, burning, and itching sensations at the genitals in some infected individuals. These symptoms may indicate a possible trichomoniasis infection or that of another STI. Trichomoniasis causes irritation within the vaginal canal or vulva. Vaginal irritation can be normal if the irritation only lasts for a few days or gets better after treatment. However, if irritation persists or gets worse, it's best to talk to your doctor about it and get it properly diagnosed and treated. 3. **Do not ignore painful or unpleasant sexual intercourse or urination.** Trichomoniasis can cause inflammation and soreness in the genitals that can make intercourse uncomfortable. See a physician if you experience these symptoms, and do not participate in intercourse until you have been tested for STIs or STDs. Avoid all forms of sexual intercourse including anal and oral sex until you've been tested and cleared. You should also inform your sexual partner or partners if you suspect you have an STI/STD and encourage them to also get tested and treated. Some clinics will help you inform your partners anonymously by giving them a contact slip that lets them know they have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection. It won't have your name on it and it won't necessarily tell them what the infection is. 4. **Recognize when you are at risk of getting STI/STDs.** With any sexual activity, there is always a risk of being infected by an STI. In some circumstances, you are more likely to receive an STI and knowing about these situations can help you and your health care professional decide if you need to get tested. You will probably need to be tested if: You have had unprotected sex with a new partner. You or your partner has had unprotected sex with others. Your partner tells you they have a sexually transmitted disease. You are pregnant or planning to be pregnant. Your doctor or nurse notices abnormal vaginal discharge or your cervix is red and inflamed. 5. **Allow your doctor to collect cell samples from your vagina to test for trichomoniasis.** Your doctor or health care provider will ask to collect vaginal cell tissue or discharge from your vagina by using a cotton swab. Sometimes the swab may look like a plastic loop rather than a cotton tip. The tool is wiped over parts of the body that could be infected such as inside your vagina or around it. This is often painless with only a bit of discomfort. Your doctor might be able to immediately examine the sample under a microscope and let you know your results right away. Or you may have to wait 7-10 days for your results. During this waiting period, be sure to avoid any sexual activity so you don't spread an infection if you have one. Blood tests and cervical screening tests don't test for trichomoniasis. Be sure to ask specifically for a trichomoniasis or STI test. 6. **Take antibiotics prescribed to you by your doctor if you do have trichomoniasis.** If your test comes back positive, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat trichomoniasis. At times, your doctor might even prescribe medication to you before your tests come in just in case. Your doctor will most likely prescribe you an oral antibiotic called metronidazole (Flagyl) which stops the growth of bacteria and protozoa (trichomoniasis is a protozoan parasite). Side effects include dizziness, headache, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, constipation, changes in taste, and dry mouth. It can also cause your urine to come out darker in colour. Be sure to notify your doctor if you are or may be pregnant. Metronidazole is safe for pregnant women. Do not drink alcohol while taking these antibiotics. Contact your doctor if your side effects persist or worsen to a point where it disrupts your day to day life. Tell your doctor immediately or go to an emergency clinic if you experience seizures, numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, or mood or mental changes. Many women who have trichomoniasis also have bacterial vaginosis. Fortunately, the antibiotics used to treat trichomoniasis also treat bacterial vaginosis. 7. **Schedule routine checkups to ensure your sexual health.** It is always important to get routine check-ups from your doctor or health care professional, even if you don't think you have any STIs. Remember, only 15-30% of trichomoniasis infected individuals show signs of infection. The other 70-85% never display any symptoms. If left untreated, trichomoniasis can increase your chances of getting HIV or increase the likelihood of transmitting HIV to your sexual partners. Trichomoniasis in pregnant women can cause premature ruptures of membranes that protect the baby and cause early delivery. 8. **Practice safe sex.** If you are not involved in a mutually monogamous relationship with an individual free of STDs, always use a latex condom (male and female) to help avoid contracting sexually transmitted conditions. Some more methods of protection include: Using condoms when engaging in oral, anal, and vaginal sex. Avoiding sharing sex toys. If you do share them, wash them or cover then with a new condom anytime anyone new uses it. 9. **Alert any sexual partners to your infection.** Notify sexual partners with whom you have had unprotected intercourse or direct genital contact so that they can be tested and treated if necessary. Some clinics will help you inform your partners anonymously by giving them a contact slip that lets them know they have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection. It won't have your name on it and it won't necessarily tell them what the infection is but will urge them to get tested.

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How to Find Great Companies to Invest In

Smart investors put their money in reputable companies and investigate new companies thoroughly before committing their money. By carefully considering the qualities of the companies you invest in and incorporating your own knowledge of the market, you can make informed decisions in the hopes of choosing stocks of good quality and value. Be aware, however, this is no small task. Mutual fund companies and the like dedicate entire teams of experts whose full-time jobs are to research and understand how to invest in companies. Be sure you have the time and inclination to do this yourself, as well as the willingness to take the risks of doing so. 1. **Stay within your circle of competence.** If you have a field of expertise, you may be best able to identify quality within that area. Experience can provide you with the insights you need to make more informed choices. For example, if you work in retail, you may be better positioned to determine if you should invest in companies like Walmart, Target, or Best Buy, than you are in evaluating the latest bio-tech company. Having competence in a certain area doesn't have to come from workplace experience. If you're a techie who spends his time buying and reading about the latest gadgets, you can draw on the information you obtain to help you make decisions on how to invest in the technology sector. 2. **Focus on a few industries or markets.** These can be either your direct area of competence or other areas that you are interested in investing in. The important thing is to realize that you can't keep track of everything going on in the global economy. Large financial institutions have whole departments for doing this so don't think you can do it on your own. Instead, narrow your focus to include only a few key industries or markets. This doesn't mean you should avoid focusing on individual companies. You should always investigate every company you plan to invest in individually. 3. **Stay up to date on news within that industry.** Examples of quality sources for this are online finance websites like Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal. They'll give you up-to-date information on many of the goings-on in various sectors of the economy and the World. Again, focus your energy on a few key areas and become knowledgeable on the happenings in them. Look for things like trends, mergers, acquisitions, relevant legislation changes, and any global events that may affect your chosen market. 4. **Plan ahead.** Identify a company that you think stands to benefit from some change or trend in the market. Look ahead for when this change will take place and move around your money to prepare to invest in the company. For example, if you think that a new product being released by your favorite tech company is going to be a huge success, you may choose to invest in the company before the rest of the world realizes this and drives up the stock price. 5. **Understand competitive advantages.** There are some companies that manage to be consistently profitable and successful in their industry over many years. These companies have succeeded in building a "moat" around them to keep their competitors away. This distance from their competitors is also known as a competitive advantage. Competitive advantages allow these companies to make money and retain customers more easily than others. In turn, these companies are able to provide greater value and return to their shareholders. An investment in one of these companies allows you to participate in their competitive advantage. While they may not grow as quickly as smaller companies, they often can be less likely to fail in economic downturns and can provide consistent growth throughout the years to come. Blue-chip stocks are examples of large, successful companies with competitive advantages. These companies have provided consistent growth or dividends over many years and are listed on large stock indexes. 6. **Invest in trusted brands.** Think Harley Davidson, Coke, BMW. These are brand names etched in the public mind as the best in their class. These companies can raise their prices on the strength of their brands, resulting in deeper profits.These companies are so well-known and essential that they are unlikely to lose a significant amount of customers to competitors. 7. **Find companies with high switching costs.** When was the last time you switched banks? Or cell phone providers? These services retain customers because switching between them is more time-consuming than it's worth. Companies that have high switching costs can be expected to hold on to their customers longer than companies that don't. 8. **Search for economies of scale.** Companies that are able to make products and sell them at much lower prices than their competition automatically attract customers -- lots of them -- as long as quality is not compromised. In a crowded market, this is generally the result of economies of scale, a phenomenon where a large company is able to experience lower production costs solely due to its size. Walmart and Dell have perfected this concept to a science. 9. **Invest in legal monopolies.** Some companies are granted legal (if temporary) monopolies by the government. Large pharmaceutical companies and manufacturing companies with patents are able to bring a truly unique product to market. Companies that own copyrights, drilling rights, mining rights, and other forms of protected property are often the sole producer or service provider in their area. Thus, these companies can raise prices without fear of losing customers, resulting in higher profits. Be sure to check how long the company's patent or usage rights are in effect. Some of these are temporary and when they go, there's a chance the company's profit will go with them. 10. **Look for opportunities for easy growth.** Some companies are easily scalable. That is, their products or services with the potential to network or add more users over time. Adobe has become the de facto standard in publishing; Microsoft's Excel has done the same in spreadsheets. eBay is a great example of a user network. Each additional user to the network costs the company virtually nothing. The additional revenues that come in as the network expands go straight to the bottom line. For a more current example, consider Netflix. As a streaming service, they make more money for each subscriber, even as their costs remain virtually the same. That way, as they gain more users they will continue to grow in profitability, assuming they don't choose to increase costs significantly. 11. **Check the quality of management.** How competent is the management running the company? More importantly, how focused are they toward the company, customers, investors, and employees? In this age of rampant corporate greed, it's always a great idea to research the management of any company you're thinking of investing in. Newspaper and magazine articles are good places to get this information. This doesn't just mean that management has provided good financial results recently. Rather, look for indications of other important qualities like responsiveness, adaptability, capacity for innovation, and organizational ability. 12. **Watch for management changes.** A good leader can successfully turn around a company that many consider to be a lost cause. Watch the news and financial reports for changes in management positions, especially CEOs. If you believe in the new CEO of a company, based on your research, you may choose to invest in that company. Here, you're essentially putting your faith in the person, not the company. 13. **Avoid overvalued stocks.** Even a great company can be overvalued. Learn to interpret financial statements and pick stocks with fundamental analysis to find companies the market has overvalued. Know that these companies may be some of the most buzzed-about and invested in companies around, but they are still overvalued and may experience drastic declines in price once their day in the spotlight is over. One way to determine if a stock is overpriced is to examine its price-earnings-ratio. The price to earnings ratio can usually be found in the company's stock summary on financial websites. Generally, PE ratios are between 20-25, but this varies by industry. To evaluate a company's PE ratio, search online for the average PE ratio in the company's industry. If the P/E ratio is over the industry average, the company could be overpriced in view of its earnings. 14. **Buy undervalued stocks.** Undervalued stocks are those that are trading at a lower value than their financial information would indicate. These may be companies that have only started to do well recently. In these cases, the market has not yet caught up with their newfound success. To identify stocks with room to grow in value, you can also use the price-earnings ratio mentioned above and look for companies with low PE ratios compared to the industry average. You can also look for companies with a price-to-book-value of less than 2. The price-to-book ratio is the price of the company divided by the total value of its assets minus its liabilities and intangible assets. A low ratio may indicate that the company is relatively cheap.

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How to Make a Puppy Poop Quickly: 11 Effective Tips

Worried that your pup isn’t pooping? Take a deep breath. The odds are this is just some normal constipation, and there are plenty of ways that you can encourage your pup to relieve themselves outside. Your puppy is extremely likely to be fine, and you’ll get used to their schedule in no time. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting your pup to poop.This article is based on an interview with our professional dog trainer and behaviorist, Dominik Feichtner, owner of The Dog Behaviorist NYC. Check out the full interview here. 1. **This is a key part of getting a pup to poop.** If you’ve just been taking your dog out on the patio or in the alley, they’re going to be less likely to go poop. Take them on a proper walk to some grassy areas where they can sniff around and find a good spot to go. Routine is extremely important for a puppy, so take them out at regular intervals every day. Puppies typically need to go out every 2-3 hours. If they don’t poop after a long walk, take them on another one in a few hours. Do not stress yourself out if it takes 3-4 walks to get them to poop. Don’t rush your pup! All that sniffing may seem like they’re just wasting their time, but it’s important when it comes to finding the right spot to do their business. 2. **Physical activity helps activate your dog’s gastrointestinal system.** If a walk alone isn’t enough and your pup still has some energy in them, play some fetch or run around. After 15 minutes of play time or so, try taking them out on another walk. They may suddenly have to poop. Regular exercise is extremely important for a puppy. Play with them regularly throughout the day—preferably before going on your walks. 3. **Give your pup some belly rubs to encourage a bowel movement.** Outside, try rubbing your dog’s belly gently in a circular motion. If your puppy is a little constipated, rubbing their belly can help things along and encourage their digestive track to “get moving” so that they feel the urge to have a bowel movement. Try doing this for a few minutes to see if it helps. Try doing this every few blocks or so on a walk. It may take multiple belly rubs to get your dog to go. Some people believe that rubbing clockwise is ideal, while others believe counterclockwise is better. Try both if you aren’t getting any results. 4. **If your puppy has a normal pooping spot, go there if you haven’t yet.** Taking a puppy on brand new routes with every walk can be confusing for them, and your pup may not know they’re supposed to poop if they’re in a new space. If your puppy tends to go in a specific area, take them there and keep returning. They’ll eventually associate the spot with pooping. If possible, keep returning to a quiet, secluded area where your pup can relieve themselves without getting distracted. 5. **Buy some plain, canned pumpkin and add it to your dog’s food.** Pumpkin is incredibly high in fiber, and it’s actually really good for your dog’s stomach. Add 1-4 tablespoons (about 15-60 g) of canned pumpkin to your dog’s normal food. Take them out for a walk an hour or so later. Dogs also tend to really enjoy the taste of pumpkin, so they’ll be in for a treat! You can use pumpkin powder designed specifically for dogs if you prefer. Never use canned pumpkin pie. The pie filling contains ingredients that are toxic for dogs. 6. **Cold water on a dog’s rear end may trigger a bowel movement.** Fill a spray bottle with cool water and spritz your dog’s anus 1-2 times using a wide nozzle setting. The cold water should make your puppy’s sphincter to contract, which is actually what happens when they make a normal bowel movement. Once your dog flexes their anal muscles, they may start to defecate. Take the bottle with you on a walk and try doing this a few times whenever you go to their normal pooping spot. Alternatively, you can hold an ice cube up against their backside. Wipe your pup’s backside when they’re done. Your puppy likely won’t appreciate a damp backside. 7. **This one might be a little gross, but it should work if they’re constipated.** Throw on some latex gloves. Hold your puppy’s stomach with your nondominant hand and then use your gloved, dominant hand to gently press on the sides of your dog’s anus. If you feel something firm, they’re probably constipated. Gently push in a bit towards your dog’s stomach and then pinch inward like you’re picking up a penny. Do this 3-5 times and your puppy may poop. People traditionally do this with paralyzed or chronically ill pets who struggle to relieve themselves on their own, but you can try it with a pup if you can get them to stay still. Alternatively, you can gently wipe around the dog’s anus with a baby wipe to try and stimulate their muscles. Do not insert any fingers into your puppy’s anus or force them to stay still if they’re in discomfort. 8. **If your pup is crate trained, this may give them time to digest.** If your puppy isn’t fully housetrained and they just aren’t relieving themselves on a walk, give them a little time in their crate. A puppy won’t urinate or defecate where they eat or sleep, so if you simply think they just need a little more time to need to go, this is a safe move. It can take time for a puppy to figure out that they’re supposed to poop on a walk. If you want to ensure that they relieve themselves outside, a short break in the crate may help. Only do this if your puppy is crate trained. You don’t want to force a pup into their crate or cause them distress. 9. **Read the label on treats and kibble to see if it contains insoluble fiber.** When it comes to food, constipation tends to have more to do with a lack of fiber than the inclusion of any specific ingredients. Feed your dog a high-quality diet containing organic sources of insoluble fiber to encourage regular bowel movements. Ingredients that are high in fiber include pumpkin, flaxseed, beets, apples, carrots, brown rice, and salmon. On a high-quality diet, a puppy may poop up to 4-5 times a day. At 12 weeks of age, a puppy may go 2-4 times a day. There can be a lot of variation though, depending on your puppy’s metabolism, activity levels, and digestive abilities. 10. **If this is a consistent problem, swap your dog’s food to the canned stuff.** Canned dog food has way more moisture than dry kibble, which typically makes it easier to digest. If your puppy has been struggling to poop with any kind of consistency, talk to your vet about changing their diet. Canned food will likely be an optimal choice. Make this switch slowly over time. Use 3-parts kibble and 1-part wet food for 1-2 days. Then, go for a 50/50 split for 3 to 4 days. On days 5 and 6, use 1-part kibble and 3-parts wet food. After a week, cut the kibble out entirely. Any natural dog food that’s low in processed ingredients will work. Chicken and rice are extremely easy for puppies to digest. 11. **When your puppy does poop, celebrate them like crazy.** Give them a treat, shower them with praise, and dance around with an upbeat voice to really let them know you’re super happy about what they’ve just done. This will get your puppy to associate pooping outside with fun and joy, which will reinforce their behavior and encourage them to go outside in the future. You may feel a little silly dancing around with your dog after they poop, but it’s important! This is a key part of housebreaking your dog. 12. **Your puppy may have a medical complication keeping them from pooping.** A little occasional constipation is no big deal, and dogs can actually hold their bowels for a surprisingly long time. However, if it has been over a day without your dog taking a bowel movement, take them to a vet. There are a variety of diseases or disorders that may make a puppy constipated and while it’s usually no big deal, it’s worth getting a checkup. Try not to worry. It can take a while to get used to your puppy’s needs and constipation isn’t normally the end of the world. The odds are high that this is just a dietary issue. A vet may prescribe a stool softener, or perform an enema to relieve your pup. They’re likely going to suggest a change in diet, as well.

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How to Get Rid of Sunburn Fast

Treating sunburns is harder than preventing them. However, half of all U.S. adults aged 18 – 29 report experiencing at least one sunburn per year. To get rid of sunburn fast, immediately take a cool shower, treat the burn with aloe or a deep moisturizer, and keep your skin hydrated by drinking more water in the days that follow; use other home treatments, like cold compresses, moistened/cooled tea bags, and pain relievers, as needed to ease discomfort and promote healing. All sunburns cause damage to your skin, so you should also work on avoiding them in the future. 1. **Upon realizing you are burned, get out of the sun immediately.** Each second of additional sun exposure will worsen your burn. Going indoors is best. But if this is impossible move into the shadiest nearby spot. Beach umbrellas provide little protection from UV rays unless they are very large and made of dense fabric. Sun exposure to can occur even in the shade, as UV rays reflect off surfaces and penetrate through everything from clouds to leaves. 2. **Take a cool shower or bath.** The water will cool your skin and may help reduce the severity of your burn. Avoid using soap because it will irritate and dry out your skin. Afterwards, let yourself air-dry. Using a towel may cause discomfort and chafing. If you must use a towel, pat your skin lightly rather than rubbing it 3. **Apply an aloe vera gel or deep moisturizer.** Spread it across your sunburn to moisturize and cool your skin. Repeat this step frequently, or at least twice daily, to reduce dryness and peeling. Consider using a lotion or gel that contains Vitamin C and E, as this may reduce skin damage. Avoid products that are oily or contain alcohol. If you have access to an aloe vera plant, you can obtain gel straight from the leaves. Simply cut off a leaf, slice it length-wise with a knife, squeeze out the gel inside, and apply it to your burn. Gel obtained directly from an aloe vera plant is extremely concentrated, natural, and effective. 4. **Drink plenty of water.** Prolonged sun exposure and heat causes dehydration. A sunburn also draws water to your skin’s surface and away from the rest of your body. Remember to drink extra water for the next few days. Go beyond the daily recommendation of eight glasses of water until your sunburn has healed, especially if you continue to be in hot weather or participate in sports or other activities that cause you to sweat. 5. **Make a cold compress and apply it your sunburn.** Wrap several ice cubes or a freezer pack in a wet cloth. Then lightly press the cloth against the sunburned area for 15 to 20 minutes multiple times a day. Remember that ice or other frozen substances should not be pressed directly against your skin. Doing so may cause an ice-burn and only make matters worse. 6. **Consider taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen (Advil).** Ibuprofen will reduce pain, swelling, and redness, and may even prevent some long-term skin damage. Once started, continue taking this medication for 48 hours Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may relieve the pain of a sunburn, but does not have the same anti-inflammatory effects as ibuprofen. 7. **Change into loose fitting clothing.** Avoid fabrics that are rough or itchy. For most people, light cotton is best. Protect your sunburn by keeping it covered when you go outside. Wear a hat, carry a parasol, and wear fabrics that are tightly woven. In addition, make sure you wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply ever two hours. 8. **Close your blinds and try to lower the temperature of your home.** If you have air-conditioning, turn it on. Even without air-conditioning, fans can significantly reduce your body temperature, especially when they are blowing directly towards your sunburn. Basements are the best places in a home to recover from sunburns, as they are generally cool and protected from sunlight. 9. **Steep several black tea bags in hot water.** Allow the water to cool (add ice to speed up the process). Remove the tea bags from the water and place them directly on your sunburn. The tannins in the tea will help reduce inflammation. You can also apply the cool tea to the entire area of the burn. Tannins are a natural astringent, and studies show that they help to heal burns and prevent infection. 10. **Pour 1 cup of plain yogurt into a bowl.** Mix with 4 cups of water. Dip a wet cloth in the yogurt mixture, and apply it to your sunburn for 15 to 20 minutes. Repeat every 2 to 4 hours. Plain yogurt contains many probiotics and enzymes that will help to heal sunburned skin. Make sure the yogurt is truly plain rather than vanilla, which contains unwanted sugar and fewer probiotics. 11. **Generously sprinkle at least one cup of baking soda into a cool bath.** Soak in the bath, and after exiting let the baking soda solution dry on your skin. It will soothe the pain and help heal your skin Baking soda has both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. This means that it will help reduce inflammation and prevent infection.. 12. **Pass cold water through a sieve containing dry oatmeal, and collect the water in a bowl.** Discard the oatmeal and soak up the solution with a cloth. Use the cloth to apply the solution to your sunburn every two to four hours. Oatmeal contains chemicals known as saponins which will clean your skin while moisturizing it at the same time.

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How to Wash Ski Pants

Skiing can quickly turn from fun to frustrating if you end up cold and soaking wet after a bad spill. More than just looking good, ski clothes can keep you warm and dry even while you’re spending the weekend surrounded by frozen water. Keeping your ski clothes clean – and waterproof – can mean the difference between a great vacation and a terrible one. Follow the steps below to ensure that your ski pants look good, and do their job, for as long as possible. 1. **Separate your ski pants from your normal laundry.** Specialized fabrics, like those on ski pants, need to be treated differently than your normal, everyday clothes. The fabric on ski pants prevents liquid moisture from entering while allowing water vapor – like sweat – to escape. Washing ski pants as you would other clothes can damage its water resistant abilities. 2. **Clean out your pants.** Make sure there is nothing inside the pockets – especially something that might stain, like lip balm or used tissues. Also make sure you’re removed any passes, lift tickets, or other detritus that can accumulate on or in your ski clothes 3. **Close all fasteners.** Zip up zippers, snap any snaps, and fasten all Velcro. This prevents potential snagging or tearing while you’re washing. If your pants have elastic drawcords, make sure they are untied and slack. 4. **Check the ‘care tag’ on your ski pants.** The tag will tell you important information about how to best care for your specific pair of ski pants. It will let you know whether or not the pants are machine washable, how they should be washed, and how they should be dried. While most ski pants are machine washable, some you may need to wash by hand. 5. **Treat any visible grease stains.** You can use normal laundry pre-treatment sprays or liquid dish soap to break up the stain before washing the garment itself. 6. **Purchase a waterproofing solution designed for use on clothing.** Different types of waterproofing solutions are designed to be added at different stages of the washing process. Some solutions should be added during the washing itself (‘wash-in’ solutions), and some should be added after your pants have dried completely (‘spray-on’ solutions). While using waterproofing solutions is not absolutely necessary, you may find that your ski pants are less and less effective at keeping moisture out the more you use them. These solutions are designed to work together with the specialized fabric to keep your pants waterproof for as long as possible. 7. **Check that your detergent compartment is clear.** Make sure the detergent compartment free of previously used detergent or softener. 8. **Set the machine to the delicate cycle with cold water.** Most ski pants should be washed in cold water, on the ‘delicate’ cycle, with a low spin speed for the drum of the washing machine. In most cases, warm water and high speeds can damage the fabric, although make sure you have checked the 'care tag' for the specifics of your ski wear. 9. **Use a detergent designed for waterproof clothing.** Preferably, you should try to use laundry detergent specially formulated for waterproof outerwear. If you need to use standard laundry detergent, look for gentle formulations that do not contain fabric softeners, fragrances, whiteners, or colorants. Powdered detergent is preferable over liquid detergent. Ski pants are treated with a water repellent coating, which increases surface tension on the fabric. Liquid detergent draws water into fabric in order to clean it by decreasing that surface tension. Do not use bleach on your ski pants, as that will strip the waterproof coating and can potentially damage the fabric itself. 10. **Avoid overloading the washing machine.** Too many items in the machine prevents each item from being able to be fully washed. Over-stuffing the drum can also potentially damage the machine. 11. **Add in a wash-in waterproofing solution, if needed.** Add the solution (following the direction on the solution container) to this second cycle. If you do not have a wash-in solution, you can also use a waterproofing spray after the pants have dried (see the “Drying” section). Make sure your wash-in waterproofing solution is designed for waterproofing clothes. Other solutions are specially formulated to waterproof other fabrics, like those of tents or sleeping bags. 12. **Prepare a bucket, wash basin, or sink with cold water and a gentle detergent.** Fill the basin with cold water and mix the recommended amount of detergent in. Make sure you use a ‘mild’ or ‘delicate’ detergent that does not contain additives like fabric softeners, fragrances, whiteners, or colorants. 13. **Wash your ski pants carefully.** Dip each pair of pants in the water and swish them around to make sure all parts of the pants are wet. 14. **Rinse your ski pants.** Use cold, clean running water to rinse your pants. Rinse until they are not sudsy and the water running off them is clear. 15. **Rinse your ski pants again.** This ensures that you’ve removed any detergent residue from the fabric. 16. **Squeeze (don’t wring or twist) your ski pants to remove excess water.** Wringing or twisting your pants can potentially damage the fabric. 17. **Air-dry your ski pants, if possible.** While some ski pants do allow for machine drying (check the ‘care tag’), in general it is better to air dry, rather than machine dry, your ski pants. A dryer – through heat and through tumbling – can potentially damage specialized fabric When hanging your ski pants up to dry, make sure they are on a sturdy hanger that does not rust or bend. Do not leave your pants to dry in direct sunlight or next to a heat source, as these can damage both the color and waterproofing. Most ski pants should not be ironed. The weight of the fabric will pull out the wrinkles when you hang them up. 18. **Minimize your use of a dryer, if you need to use one at all.** If you are running short on time and absolutely need to use a dryer to dry your ski pants, make sure the machine is on its lowest settings. Tumble drying is quick but is hard on specialized fibers – use the lowest setting for the shortest time if absolutely necessary. Do not use fabric softener sheets. These can clog the pores in the fiber that allow water vapor from under your clothes to escape. 19. **Waterproof your pants once they are dry, if needed.** If you did not use a wash-in waterproofing solution, wait until your pants are completely dry and then spray them with a spray-on water repellent that is specially designed for waterproofing clothing

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How to Start a Nonprofit Organization

Whether you want to help build and strengthen your own community, are inspired by the giving of others, or feel called to provide aid in a national or international crisis, you may have a desire to start a nonprofit organization. The initial process of setting up your organization is relatively simple, although if you want to incorporate and enjoy tax-exempt status, you must comply with more complex record-keeping and reporting requirements. 1. **Choose a general category for the services or assistance you want to provide.** While you already may have a general idea of the type of nonprofit organization you want to start, categorizing can help you focus your efforts. For example, suppose you want to help the homeless in your city. There are many different ways you can help the homeless, such as by providing food or shelter or helping with a job search. Categorization also will help you identify the types of assistance you'll need. For example, if you want to help homeless people navigate the legal system, you will need lawyers who are willing to volunteer their time and professional expertise. On the other hand, if you want to provide food and shelter, you'll have to find a location and secure applicable permits to operate. 2. **Find out what services are already available.** If you want to make sure your organization truly makes a difference, you need to be sure your efforts aren't duplicating those of someone else. Evaluating pre-existing nonprofits also can help you find nearby organizations that have missions that relate to yours. These organizations may be willing to work with you or stage joint events to bring awareness to the larger issue and help more people. 3. **Conduct surveys to locate demand.** If you're able to talk to the people you think would benefit from your organization, you can get a better sense of things for which there is a true need. The strongest path to a sustainable organization is finding a niche where there is a demonstrable need. People will be more inclined to donate if you can show that your organization will make a significant impact on people's lives and on the community at large. 4. **Find your state association of nonprofits.** Each state has an association of nonprofits, which can provide you with invaluable resources and guidance on starting your organization. 5. **Work with existing nonprofits in your area.** If an established nonprofit already is working in the area where you wish to contribute, you may be able to make more of a difference if you join forces. This can be especially helpful if there's another organization in your community that already does something similar to what you want to do. In some instances, you may be able to approach that organization about working as a sponsor for yours, which would make your startup process far smoother and provide additional support and expertise as you build your organization. 6. **Evaluate the needs of your organization.** Particularly when you're just starting out, you want to avoid building a team with members who all have similar skill sets. You also want to avoid simply making space for friends and family members who want to help if they don't have any relevant expertise that they can bring to the table. Keep in mind that you can build your team slowly – there's no need to rush into anything or have every position filled as soon as possible. Instead, take time to find people who fit your needs and also are passionate and dedicated to the organization's goals. Draft a job description for each of the roles you anticipate needing to fill that you can present when you're talking to candidates about the position. That way they'll know what will be expected of them and can make a decision accordingly. 7. **Recruit founding board members who will support and advance your goals.** The initial members of your organization should have the experience and expertise to meet your operational needs. The types of expertise you need will depend on the focus of your organization. For example, if you plan to provide legal assistance to low-income people, you obviously will need lawyers. If you plan on offering free tax planning and advice to low-income people, on the other hand, you might want to bring some accountants on board. Not only must you look for people with expertise, you also must find dedicated staffers who are passionate about your organization's purpose and its goals. The people you need also will depend on what your organization will be doing and where it will be located. For example, if you plan on primarily having a web presence and soliciting donations online, you need talented web designers and social media experts. You often can find good candidates by talking to religious leaders or executives at large nonprofit institutions. 8. **Establish a social media presence.** Not only are social media accounts free, but if used regularly and effectively they can help you gain a substantial following and stimulate interest in your cause. Start accounts for your organization and connect to other organizations in other areas that fall into the same category or have similar goals. You also might connect with organizations connected in a tangential way to your mission, so you can assist and refer clients to each other. For example, if your organization will help homeless people find jobs, you might want to connect with an organization that supplies homeless people with suits to go on interviews. In addition to connecting to other organizations, you also can use accounts to connect to potential supporters and volunteers. Track hashtags relevant to your mission to find people who share the same passion. 9. **Seek out passionate volunteers.** A large staff of volunteers demonstrates support for and involvement in your project, which may in turn increase donations. Even if you exist primarily online, you can build teams of volunteers who are willing to share information about your organization or write blog posts to encourage others to visit your site. If you're developing an organization that will have a local focus and physical location, you might consider having a meet-and-greet event to raise awareness for your cause and attract supporters in your neighborhood. When you sponsor events or canvass for donations out in the neighborhood, you also can use those opportunities to recruit interested volunteers to your cause. Sometimes people who don't have the money to donate will be interested in donating a few hours of their time instead. 10. **Develop a comprehensive budget.** To know how much money you'll need to raise, you need to have a good understanding of how much it will cost to operate your organization on a daily basis. Depending on your budgetary and financial needs, you might want to consider hiring or retaining an accountant – especially if you anticipate filing for tax-exempt status in the future. Keep in mind that even if you plan on having a primarily online organization, you still will have operating expenses such as domain registration and website hosting that should be included in your budget. Figure out not only the fixed costs to start your nonprofit, but also costs of licensing or registration fees, and other costs for infrastructure and development. For example, if you need to rent a physical space, the cost of finding and securing that location should be included in your budget. Depending on the type of organization you're starting, you also will need supplies. For example, if you're opening a soup kitchen you will need cookware as well as plates, bowls, cups, and utensils. A solid understanding of your daily operating expenses will help you calculate how much money you need to raise to make ends meet and provide benefits to the people you want to help. 11. **Draft a business plan.** Outlining the structure, operation, and projected growth of your nonprofit organization helps you focus and understand your budgetary needs. Outline all aspects of your plan, including the organizational structure, your organization's mission, marketing and fundraising efforts, and projections for future operations and growth. You can use parts of your business plan later on, such as when filing for tax-exempt status or creating fundraising brochures. Develop a solid understanding of the economic climate in your area, as well as general economic projections, so you can realistically estimate how much money you'll be able to raise and accurately assess your organization's financial viability. 12. **Acquire any necessary licenses or permits.** You'll need to register with your state's nonprofit association, and depending on the type of services you plan to offer, you may need other state and local licenses or permits to operate. At a minimum, you typically must register with your state's nonprofit agency before you can start fundraising or engage in political lobbying at the state or local level. You also may need state charitable solicitation registrations. These forms are required in most states if you plan to solicit donations there, so if you intend to collect donations online you may have to register in every state. Other licenses or permits may be required depending on the types of clients you intend to serve or the types of employees you want to hire. If you plan on operating in a physical location open to the public, you must first make sure the location is zoned for that use. 13. **Start fundraising.** Based on your budget and your daily operating expenses, you can figure out how much money you must average to work toward accomplishing your goals. Individual donors may make up the bulk of your contributions, especially at first. However, you also should consider soliciting donations from businesses and other associations in the area – especially those who potentially would be impacted by your mission. For example, if you're starting a nonprofit organization to help homeless people find jobs, you might seek donations from your local Chamber of Commerce. 14. **Consider applying for grants.** Government entities as well as larger nonprofit institutions and universities may offer grants that can help cover some or all of your operating costs. You can research at your local nonprofit association or online to find out if grants are available for nonprofits that supply services such as yours, and how you can apply. If you aren't familiar with the grant application process, you may want to hire someone on a temporary contract basis who is experienced in drafting grant applications. 15. **Determine your eligibility.** To qualify for tax-exempt status, your organization must exist to further one of the purposes listed by the IRS, such as religious or educational purposes. Keep in mind that if you've listed a broader purpose in your organizing or planning documents than that recognized by the IRS under 501(c)(3) of the tax code, you may have to amend those documents so they match the purpose recognized by federal tax law. 16. **Incorporate your organization.** You cannot get federal tax-exempt status unless your organization is formed either as a corporation or a state-registered unincorporated association. You must find a name for your organization that is unique among all registered corporations in your state, whether nonprofit or for-profit. Although you don't necessarily have to be incorporated to get federal tax exempt status, some states do require it. Check with your state's secretary of state office to find out what documents and paperwork you must file to register your corporation. Many states have different or additional documents required for nonprofit, as opposed to for-profit, corporations. Your local association for nonprofits will have state-specific forms, instructions, and resources to help you incorporate your organization and gain tax-exempt status. You also should expect to pay filing fees to register your nonprofit corporation, which vary from $30 to several hundred depending on the state of registration. 17. **Get a federal employer identification number (EIN).** Even if you don't have any employees, your organization must have its own EIN to apply for tax-exempt status. You can get an EIN online by using the IRS's EIN Online Assistant. There is no charge either to have an EIN issued or to use the system, which is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 18. **Complete your 501(c)(3) application.** Typically you must either fill out Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ to apply for tax-exempt status. If you're affiliated with a church or school, your organization usually is considered tax-exempt automatically, and you don't have to file any forms with the IRS. The 1023-EZ is a simplified version of Form 1023, which you typically fill out a 1023-EZ if you're a small organization receiving less than $50,000 a year and with assets of $250,000 or less. When you file your application with the IRS, it must be accompanied by a $400 processing fee. This fee may be deducted directly from the organization's bank account, or you can pay using a credit or debit card. 19. **Apply for state and local tax exemptions.** After the IRS has recognized your organization's tax-exempt status, you can apply to be recognized by state and local authorities as well. The National Association of State Charity Officials website has information on how to register with your state and apply for tax-exempt status. Depending on your state, you may have to file additional forms to become exempt from sales or property taxes.

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How to Learn Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a popular way of making passive income through advertising other companies’ goods and products. If people choose to purchase items that you’ve advertised through affiliate marketing, you’ll earn a commission. Affiliate marketing occurs online and is done, for example, by bloggers who allow advertisements on their web pages. There are a number of ways to learn about affiliate marketing, including taking one of many online training courses. Experience is often the best teacher, and you can also learn about affiliate marketing by trying it out! 1. **Try Udemy’s affiliate marketing courses if you want many options.** Udemy offers a large range of marketing classes online, including several geared towards affiliate marketing. You can move through Udemy’s marketing courses at your own pace, and they’ll help you grasp the basics of affiliate marketing including partnering with companies, SEO, and increasing website traffic. Navigate to the site and search “affiliate marketing” to see some of what they offer. You can also sort among the search results to find, for example, only those classes that have been rated 4.5 or higher. Get started on a class and learn more online at: https://www.udemy.com/course/clickbank-affiliate-marketing-success/. The course isn’t cheap—it costs about $200 USD—but it is frequently discounted to rates as low as $10.99. 2. **Get a step-by-step walkthrough tutorial with Wealthy Affiliate.** Wealthy Affiliate is a well-known and well-regarded affiliate marketing tutorial site that teaches you how to conduct research and grow your marketing practice. You can also take advantage of weekly online training webinars. The site will also put you in direct contact with a community of other beginner affiliate marketers, who you can ask questions and bounce ideas off of. Learn more and set up either a free or premium account ($19 USD per month) online. A premium account gives you access to advanced-level series of courses and to live webinars that cover a variety of topics associated with affiliate marketing. 3. **Check out the Affilorama courses for a popular free option.** If you’d rather not pay to learn affiliate marketing, Affilorama may be your best bet. The site offers dozens of free video lessons on all aspects of affiliate marketing, as well as training blogs to help you learn. If you’d like access to more training content, the site offers 3 premium membership packages that offer advice on how to find a marketing niche, optimize your keywords, and use social media in your affiliate marketing practice. Create an account online and start learning about affiliate marketing online at: https://www.affilorama.com/. 4. **Talk to experienced affiliate marketers and ask for their advice.** Affiliate marketing can have a steep learning curve and can feel tough to break into. Fortunately, there are many experienced marketers out there who may be willing to impart their tricks and tips to you. They’ll be able to teach you to select a marketing niche that can earn you money and to design your website to get as many visitors as possible. If you don’t know any affiliate marketers, try finding some by searching for blogs that discuss topics you’re interested in. Then look for advertising links to companies’ products. If you see these links, you’ve found an affiliate marketer! Or, go directly to the companies themselves. Email a company of your choice and ask to be put in touch with any affiliate marketers they work with. When you reach out to affiliate marketers themselves, try having a professional but friendly tone. Email something like, “Hi, I see that you have done some affiliate marketing work with Patagonia! I’m interested in breaking into the affiliate marketing world as well, but don’t have much experience so far. Would you be willing to pass along any helpful tips you’ve picked up?” 5. **Select a niche that you’re interested in.** Affiliate marketing enterprises work best if you’re marketing for a product or company that you genuinely appreciate and have an interest in. Let’s say you love the outdoors, and often go on camping trips. Consider doing affiliate marketing for companies who make camping products, hiking boots, backpacks, or outdoor gear. There are a huge number of niches you could look into. For example, you could look into doing affiliate marketing for companies who make musical instruments, snack foods and soft drinks, sporting goods and sports equipment, fishing equipment, literary publishers, office supplies, or mattresses and bedding. Beginning affiliate marketers who start out marketing for companies and products that they don’t care about typically lose interest quickly. 6. **Build yourself a website** Affiliate marketing takes place online. If you’re new to web design and don’t want to tackle coding your own website, try building a website for free through one of the many no-cost website-building platforms like Wix, Weebly, or Wordpress. You could also use a blog site like BlogSpot as your platform to begin affiliate marketing. If you already have a blog or website (something more official than a Tumblr), you can skip this step. 7. **Post content online regularly and build up an email list.** If you’re posting affiliate marketing links but nobody visits your website, you won’t make much of an income. The best way to draw new people to your website is by posting new, interesting content. Also offer an email newsletter that users can subscribe to for additional content! Don’t start doing any affiliate marketing until you have at least 500 email list subscribers. Say that you run a blog called “The Camping Life,” about outdoor activities. You could post reviews of campsites and national parks, and send out a newsletter reviewing specific camping products that you’ve tried out. Depending on how frequently you post new content and send out emails and newsletters, it could take between 3–6 months to build up 500 subscribers. 8. **Brush up on SEO** To be a successful affiliate marketer, you’ll need to bring as many viewers to your website as possible, to maximize the number of people who see your marketing content. For example, a great way to maximize your SEO is to include half a dozen keywords in your website copy. Then, when people search for these words in a search engine, your website will appear relatively high up in the search results. So, in our example, you’d want to use words like “camping,” “affordable,” and “backpacking” to draw in visitors. There are great online articles about SEO that you can read to improve your know-how. You can also take free SEO training courses at Udemy and other sites. 9. **Reach out to companies whose goods you’d like to market.** Once you’re regularly producing content and have plenty of subscribers, it’s time to reach out to merchants with who you’d like to affiliate market. The best way to go about this is by sending an email to the director of their marketing or sales department, if you can find that information online. Explain that you run a popular website or blog devoted to a topic relevant to the company’s products. If the company agrees to take you on as an affiliate marketer, they’ll send you a specific URL that you can use to create ads on your website. Let’s stick with our camping/outdoors example. You could try reaching out to backpacking and outdoor companies like REI, Patagonia, and North Face to see if they’ll take you on as an affiliate marketer. 10. **Place the company’s URL on your site and in your newsletters.** Take the unique URL that the company sent you, and position it prominently on your website or blog. It’s also a good idea to name-drop the company in your weekly newsletters and include the link there too. Try to ensure that the majority of your website’s visitors will see the link by positioning it near the top of your site and newsletter! For example, you could have copy on your website that says something like, “I went camping last weekend and my Eureka tent kept me warm and dry! Follow the link to see their great catalog of products.” Eventually, website users will start clicking through the advertisements and purchase products from the company you’re marketing for. At this point, the company will send you a commission check.

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How to Overcome a Quarter Life Crisis

Many young people struggle with a quarter life crisis in their mid to late 20s. Maybe you graduated from university with an undergraduate degree but you start to panic about your career options. Or perhaps you have coasted along in your early 20s but are feeling the pressure as you are nearing 30. In this article, we'll show you how to determine your personal life goals, figure out the root cause of your crisis, and take action to overcome it. 1. **Admit you are unhappy about certain choices.** The first phase of a quarter life crisis is the feeling of being trapped by your life choices. You may feel you are locked into your job, your relationship, and your career path. You may be living on “autopilot” rather than living to the fullest. Acknowledging that you are feeling trapped can be the first step to overcoming your crisis. For example, maybe you have been stuck at the same frustrating job for three years. Or perhaps you feel trapped by an unhappy relationship that you have been trying to work through for too long. Identify what is making you feel trapped so you can address it. 2. **Take a “timeout”.** In the second phase, you may feel like you need take some time away from everything. You may decide you need to get out of your situation, such as by getting a new job or changing to a different school. Use this time to take a timeout, and reconsider your life goals and plans before you make any big decisions. Try to avoid making any hasty decisions and instead give yourself some time to think. For example, instead of quitting your job, you could use some of your vacation days or ask to have your hours cut down. Instead of switching to a different school, you could take a semester off to think about what you really want to do and where you would like to go. 3. **Accept the possibility of change.** You may then shift into the third phase, where you start to consider the possibility that you can change the course of your life. Free of the element that is making you feel trapped, you may be able to start thinking about how you would like to change your life. Once you get used to the idea of change, you can make the choice to redirect your life. This will help you tackle your crisis head on and be willing to take some risks to see positive change. 4. **Make new commitments and goals.** Once you have worked through the first three phases of your quarter life crisis, you can start to consider making new commitments and new goals. You should focus on personal development during this time to help you overcome the crisis. You may be ready to take actionable steps to make a shift in your life. Getting to the fourth phase of your crisis may take time, especially if you are dealing with the emotional upheaval of leaving a job or a relationship that you were in for a long time. Once you get to this phase, you should be ready and willing to make new commitments and goals for yourself. 5. **Make a list of your assets and strengths.** Making a list of what your strengths and assets are may help you as you start thinking about your life goals. Try writing down everything that you or other people think you are good at. Your strengths and assets can be things like technical skills, special knowledge, or personality traits. For example, you might list that you are good at building computers, you know a lot about movies, or you are good at interacting with people. List anything that you think you are good at as well as anything that someone else has complimented you on. 6. **Consider your personal passions.** Start by doing a serious self-assessment of your personal passions. Ask yourself, what do you like? What do you dislike? What types of activities inspire you and motivate you? Try to write down detailed answers to these questions and identify your personal passions. Keep in mind your passions may change as you experience more and grow as a person. But considering your main passions can help you get a better sense of your ideal career path. For example, you may list personal passions like "working with young people", "mentoring and teaching", and "learning new skills". You may take self-assessment tests on Livecareer.com to help determine your personal passions and goals. 7. **Reflect on your interests as a child.** Think about what you wanted to do when you were in grade school. Often, passions can be detected at a very young age. This can help you tell the difference between an “interest” and a “passion.” Think about what you always wanted to be, but told yourself you couldn’t. For instance, if you always wanted to go into a risky career, but everyone talked you out of it, take a second look at this passion. Now that you’re a bit older, can you come up with a better plan on how you can achieve your dreams? For instance, if you always wanted to be a writer, but your parents actively discouraged it, see if you can get a part-time job first, or go back to school to earn a degree, like a master of fine arts for creative writing. You can also make a plan on how you are going to support yourself until your passion career takes off. 8. **Visualize your future self.** Try to picture what you will do for work, where you will work, and perhaps who you will be with. Write down a detailed image of your future self. Ask yourself, where do I see myself in five years? What type of life do I want to have? You can also help yourself visualize your ideal career by asking yourself, What am I good at? What do I love?, and What does the world need? Considering the needs of others could help you visualize what you would like to do in the future. You should write down detailed answers to these questions. You can then use this vision of your future self to help you set realistic goals that you can address now. For example, you may write down, “I love to work with young people, especially teenagers. I am good at teaching young people new skills and I love science. I think the world might need another high school science teacher who is dedicated to the job.” 9. **Develop realistic goals.** Create a list of realistic goals, using your strengths and assets, passions, and your image of your future self as guides. Include a timeline of when you would like to achieve these goals. Keep the timelines realistic and intentional, as you will be more likely to achieve your goals if they seem attainable. For example, you may write down, “Talk to a science high school teacher to get feedback on the job in the next two months. Consider applying for teacher’s college by June.” 10. **Avoid being swayed by other people’s goals.** Try to avoid comparing yourself to other people, especially friends and peers in your age group. Only you can determine your purpose and use your purpose to get over your crisis. Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram can make it seem like everyone is living their dream life, but these sites are often designed to only show the good side of people’s daily lives. Remember that everyone struggles with their own issues and problems, even if their social media account say otherwise. Try not to compare or measure yourself against other people’s lives or goals because basing your goals on these views may lead to a perspective that is skewed, not realistic. You may also have lots of friends who are having children and getting married during this phase of your life. Be accepting and supportive of their choices but do not feel you have to make the same choices as them. You may not be at a place in your life where you are contemplating marriage or children and that's okay. 11. **Evaluate your personal relationships.** Also, consider your current personal relationships and how meaningful they are to you. Try to surround yourself with positive individuals who have their own life goals and appear motivated in their lives. Being around people who have a sense of direction could help you get a better sense of your own goals and life direction. You may feel a lot of social pressures during your quarter life crisis and this could contribute to your crisis getting worse. Try to cultivate personal relationships that offer you a sense of support and guidance, rather than a sense of pressure or anxiety. Your friendships and romantic relationships should make you feel encouraged and empowered. 12. **Reflect on your personal goals as well.** Along with your new career goals, you may want to evaluate your personal life and how well it is syncing up with what you envision for yourself. This may include relationships, where you live, and other personal matters as well. Think about the things that you would like to accomplish in your personal life and how you can alter your trajectory to accomplish those things. For example, if you are single and want to get married, then you might consider joining an online dating website or letting your friends set you up with their husbands’ guy friends. If you want to work through some personal issues, then you might set up an appointment with a therapist to begin that process. If you want to have children, then you might start taking steps in that direction, such as by talking with your partner, meeting with your doctor to assess your health, or looking into adoption. 13. **Make a list of prospective career fields.** Once you have identified your passions and goals, consider how you can turn them into a prospective career. You may start by making a list of prospective career fields that may speak to your interests and skills. You may want to review a list of prospective careers based on your interests and skills to get an idea of your options. You can search online for prospective careers and review a list of careers that relate to a particular interest or skill. 14. **Determine if you need more training or education for your goal career.** Do some research on your goal career to determine if you need more training or education, and if so, what level of training. Then, consider how you would acquire the training or education necessary to qualify for your goal career. For example, if you have decided to pursue a career in teaching high school science, you may need to apply for teacher’s college or a teaching degree at an accredited university. You may also need to apply for loans or work to raise enough money to afford going to school for your teaching degree. You may also need to improve on your existing skills and abilities to attain your goal career. If you are going for a career as a high school science teacher, perhaps you are strong in science but you lack a lot of experience working with young people. You may then volunteer as a tutor or a mentor for young people to get more experience in this area. 15. **Reach out to others for support and guidance.** You can also lean on the support of others around you to get some perspective on your options. Try talking to family members, close friends, former colleagues from school, and peers at work. Ask them how they found their direction and how they developed their career goals. You may try to talk it out with them to determine your own career goals. You can also reach out to individuals who are currently working in the field you are interested in. You may ask them for advice and guidance, as well as mentorship on your career. 16. **Cultivate new relationships.** Try to form new relationships with people as part of your life goals. This is especially important if you feel your current relationships are not helping you feel supported and are only adding to your life crisis. Cultivating new relationships can help you feel you are moving into a new phase in your life and help you recover from your crisis. You may reach out to a new person at work who seems positive and interesting to you. Or you may broaden your dating pool to outside your immediate friend group to try to meet new people and form relationships with different people. 17. **Make an action plan.** Draw out an action plan that you can follow and adjust as needed. You may plot out each step you need to take to achieve your career goal, along with set times for when you achieve each step. Then, put the action plan somewhere you can see and study it on a daily basis. For example, you may write down “Apply to teacher’s college by June. Speak to a mentor about improving my skills. Volunteer with young people at the tutoring center.” 18. **Implement the action plan.** Try to put your action plan to work so you can overcome your crisis. You may want to take the action plan one step at a time so you do not feel overwhelmed or stressed out. You may also reach out to others around you for support so you can implement your action plan to the fullest. Getting encouragement and support from others may help you stay on track and work through your crisis. 19. **Find new ways to enjoy your life.** Though change and new goals can help you get over your crisis, you can also try to focus on finding new ways to enjoy the life you have. You may focus on all the things you have to be thankful for, such as your health, your proximity to your family and friends, and your education. These things are not a given for everyone and appreciating what you have can help you realize you are stronger and more viable as a person than your crisis would have you believe.

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