Problem: Article: Themed parties make it easier for your guests to feel comfortable and included in the group. Sometimes, when one does not know what to wear to a party they tend to be a little uneasy when they show up. Also, themed parties are fun! If you are throwing a holiday party, then ask your guests to dress according to the holiday. If you are throwing a themed birthday or house party, some common themes are 1980s, toga/Greek, black & white, masquerade, jungle/amazon, and Western. If you are 18 or older, consider throwing a "sexy" costume party. Most adults refer to this as a "costume party." Only some transfer students from abroad won't know the connotation. Party food is usually junk food and junk food is usually sugary, starchy, salty, inexpensive, and easy to maintain. Common foods are cake, ice-cream, chips, salsa, dip, chex mix, candy, brownies, and cupcakes. But of course you can switch it up according to the motive of the party. Get creative! Plenty of people use parties as an excuse to get fancy. If you're having more of a formal event, none of that processed stuff is even going to touch your spread. Only hors d'oeuvres of fancy cheeses, breads, and vegetables will grace your soiree. When you think of drinking at a party, you probably think of beer and shots, but it doesn't have to be just that. Stock up on fruit punch, water and different kinds of soda while you're out party shopping. For alcoholic drinks, beer is the least expensive of your options and you may want to consider buying a keg depending on the amount of people. Also, it will cut down on the amount of garbage (if you've ever been left picking up aluminum cans after a big party, you know how that goes). Popular party beers are Guinness, Keystone, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller, and Bud Light. You might also want to pick up some hard liquor, wine, and mixers. If there is drinking at your party, your guests are your responsibility. You must make sure they have rides home and that some people are designated drivers. Be prepared to take peoples' keys if need be. Have plenty of water and other drinks to encourage people to either sober up or stay sober in the first place. Decorations are always based on the theme and the motive for the party. Most party decorations can be found at your local party store or an online party store and are relatively inexpensive. Make sure you decorate your party well if it is themed. The more, the better. If your guests feel like they really are in the jungle or that they really are in the 80's, they will have even more fun. If your place is hard to find, also purchase signage to help people direct themselves to the right spot. Balloons or streamers are eye-catching; you could also light up your walk with party lights or torches. So you've got your food, your beverages, your decorations, what else?  For starters, you'll need containers to keep your food and beverages safe and at their required temperature. Keep food out in large amounts on trays, in bowls, and on plates where your guests can easily access them. You will want to keep your beverages cold and in an easy-access place as well. Invest in a large ice chest to put canned soda and beer in. For hard and bottled liquor, keep these out on or behind a counter that you can easily regulate and maintain. You may want to invest in a wine cooler for keeping wine cold. If you have a keg, you're going to want to have a trusted friend stand by it or take turns with one another to refill peoples' cups. You'll want to get paper or plastic cups, plates, and bowls. You do not want to pass around your mother's favorite china at a party because it WILL get dropped. Go for plastic when purchasing knives, forks, and spoons so that you can recycle them along with the paper dishware at the end of the party. Other supplies are: a large trashcan or recycling bin for dispensing these items and a large bucket or two filled with water for cigarettes (otherwise your guests will litter cigarette butts all over your front and backyard and possibly inside your home) or several large ashtrays. After they arrive, your guests will most likely be amazed by your attire and your selection of food, beverages, and decorations, but they will want something to do after they've gotten through with the greetings. Here are some ideas to literally get the party started:  Pool (if you are in possession of a pool table) A dartboard and darts A ping-pong table A beer pong table Music and a wide area set aside for dancing If you have a pool and/or hot tub keep it/them clean and running. There are other activities to play that don't involve anything (games, etc.) and can be played throughout your party. Keep some in mind if a lull ever extends over the crowd. One of the biggest questions you're probably thinking about is what music should you play at your party. It's possible to book a DJ or have a musically inclined friend DJ your party if there's a large amount of people, but since the invention of iPods and computers, you can be your own DJ! You can use iTunes and have it playing through your speakers on your computer, or you can setup an iPod-compatible stereo system in the same room as your dance floor and play music from there. Think about the entirety of your guests and what music you think they would like. Or, play different types of music throughout the evening if your guests have a wide difference in music tastes. Popular party music is often rap, hip-hop, dance, electro, house, and basically anything that has a beat that your guests can dance to.
Summary: Decide if your party should have a theme. Plan the food. Don't forget the beverages! Purchase decorations. Prepare yourself with supplies. Plan some activities. Get the music right.

Problem: Article: Because fleas grip tightly to hair and fur, and their eggs can be tightly attached as well, a tight comb must be used to remove them. There are combs specially designed for this purpose. Make sure the teeth of your comb are the right length and tightness for your pet. This will allow you to drown any fleas you comb out. It will also help to wet your pet as you comb, helping to control the movements of any fleas. Make sure the water is warm, but not hot. Go from root to tip, and from head to tail. This is an especially important technique when combing out fleas. Fleas like to hold on by the root. If you do not comb up the entire length of the hair, you are likely to miss some. It may seem tedious, but the time you put into manually removing the fleas can pay off. This can be a very effective measure in controlling and eliminating your pet's flea problem. Don't rush through combing your pet, or it might lengthen the treatment process. Comb your pet for fleas more than once. It will give you an opportunity to monitor you pet for new fleas, as well as check the condition of their skin. Look not only for fleas, but check for signs of irritation or injury from treatment.
Summary:
Get a flea comb or tight-toothed comb. Keep a bucket of water nearby. Comb out the fleas always in the direction of fur or hair growth. Take your time. Repeat this every couple of days. Be aware that the fleas only hop onto the pet to feed and mostly live in the environment - thus it takes a long time to bring an infestation under control by combing.