Q: This should be an area clearly visible from the entrance where you can place your shoes that you have taken off. You might want to include a rack to place shoes on, or even just a small mat or rug where you place the shoes. When people enter, they'll see the "shoe area" with you and your family's shoes, they'll see you (and other household members) without shoes on, and hopefully they'll put two and two together. To make sure that the function of the space is understood, leave some of your own shoes in the shoe space so that your guests will see this and know what to do. Put several pairs of shoes in the shoe area. If you create a shoe space without any shoes to occupy it, your guests may not realize that you want them to put their shoes there. To be absolutely certain that your guests understand the function of the shoe space, make a cute sign to hang above it. This will help eliminate any possible confusion. You can include a cute phrase on the sign like, “Leave your worries (and your shoes) at the door.” A mudroom is a space in a house (usually near the most used entrance/exit) that holds all the gear people wear outside — like coats, scarves, boots, shoes, etc. If you have a clearly designated room/area for these items, it is easy for guests to utilize the space. If your guests have to go through or pass by the mudroom on their way into your home, it will be quite easy to encourage them to use it.
A: Create a place for shoes. Leave your own shoes in the shoe area. Put a sign up. Create a mudroom.

Q: Wood objects that work the best for this project include boxes, frames, and wooden letters. Avoid round or beveled shapes, such as balls or candlesticks, as this will cause the paper to crinkle. Most blank wood pieces from the arts and crafts store come pre-sanded, but some may have rough patches. If you need to, sand those rough patches away with a medium to fine-grit sandpaper. Be sure to sand with the grain rather than against it. If your piece has a very rough grain, you will need to sand it smooth first. A tack cloth will work the best for this, but you can use a damp cloth as well. You don't have to do this if you skipped the sanding, but it would still be a good idea to do so. Many store-bought items contain a thin layer of dust that may prevent the Mod Podge from sticking. If you will be covering the entire wood piece with paper, you can skip this step. If you will covering just one side, however, consider painting it first. Be sure to leave the side you'll be covering blank, however!  Acrylic paint or spray paint will work the best for this. Use a color that matches the design on your paper. How long this takes depends on the type of paint you used. Most spray paints and acrylic paints will only need about 20 minutes in which to dry. If you need to apply a second coat of paint, let the first one dry before doing so. Allow the second one to dry as well before moving on.
A: Choose a suitable object for the project. Sand away any rough patches on your wood piece. Wipe the wood piece down to get rid of the sanding dust. Paint the wood piece a solid color, if desired. Allow the paint to dry, if you applied it.

Q: In order to convince your parents to let you have a dog, you need to be persuasive. You will be in a better position to convince them if you are well informed. Begin to research your presentation by looking into different dog breeds.  When you talk to your parents, you will want to be as specific as possible. You will sound more convincing if you are able to make definitive statements such as, "Mom, Dad, the Jack Russell Terrier is the right dog for us." Start by looking at different dog breeds online. You can even take a quiz about what type of dog is right for you.  Use some websites such as the American Kennel Club site to figure out what type of dog you should ask for. For example, if your sister might be allergic, look into a Yorkshire Terrier. If your mom is worried that a dog will be messy, you can look for a dog that doesn't shed heavily. Research dachshunds, which are a small, neat dog. Go to your local or school library. Ask the reference librarian to help you find some books that offer information about different breeds of small dogs. Adopting a dog is a great way to add a pet to your family. With adoption, you can rescue an animal who needs a home. You can also save money, as you won't have to pay an expensive breeder.  Once you have an idea about some of the breeds you are interested in, contact your local animal shelter. The staff and volunteers there will be able to provide you with some helpful information. State that you are looking for a small dog and offer any other specific requirements that you have. For example, tell the staff whether you are looking for a puppy or an older dog. Ask if they regularly have a wide selection of dogs that might fit your needs. For example, you can say, "Will it be fairly easy to adopt a small dog such as a dachshund or terrier?" Collect other information. Find out what information you and your parents will need to provide in order to adopt a dog. You can also ask how long the process takes. The best way to convince your parents to let you have a dog is to prepare a thoroughly researched presentation. You will definitely want to include the financial aspects of dog ownership in your request. Do some research about how much it costs to adopt and raise a dog.  Talk to the experts. You can ask the staff at the shelter how much the adoption fees are and if you will need to pay for vaccinations. Contact a local vet. You can phone the office and ask for general pricing information. Ask how much it will cost to spay or neuter a dog, and how much regular office check-ups cost. Visit a local pet store. You can price food, toys, and grooming products. Combine all of your information to figure out the monthly cost of dog ownership. If you plan to pay for part of the dog's care, make that part of your presentation, too. Your parents will want to make sure that you understand how much time it takes to care for a dog. For the next part of your presentation preparation, figure out how you will fit dog care into your family's routine. This will help show your parents that you have put a lot of thought into caring for the dog.  Think about how much time it will take to exercise your dog each day. Do you have a yard where he can play independently? Or will you need to make sure to walk him? If you are asking for a puppy, think about how long it will take to train the dog. Are you planning to spend some time each day helping to house train the dog? Make a calendar that shows the breakdown of how much time you will spend caring for the dog. If you are asking other family members to help, make sure to make that clear.
A:
Research dog breeds. Talk to a local shelter. Create a budget. Make a schedule.