Problem: Article: In most states, it is legal to drill your own well. However, in some states, you must have a permit to drill over 200 feet, so you may need to get the permit or have the well professionally drilled. Check your local codes by calling local officials or searching online. Septic tanks, muddy areas, sewers or animal pens can all potentially contaminate wells. Waste matter leeches through the soil, all the way down to the water reservoir: anyone who drinks water from a well drilled near these areas could get sick. Drill at least 50 feet away from any of these areas. If you live in a populated area, you will want to check with your local utility companies before you drill. Many electricity, gas and telephone companies run conduits underground, so any drilling could interfere with or strike their lines. Call your utility providers to find the location of any cabling running under your property. Different factors on your property will give you information about how much water to expect to get from underwater reservoirs. Soil type, topography, information about your water table and vegetation can give clues about where to dig.  Areas with heavy sand and gravel deposits often yield water. The larger the pieces of gravel or sand, the more water is most likely beneath the surface. These areas will be harder to drill, however, because of large boulders that may exist in the path of your drill. Vegetation can tell you the location of water. In arid climates, locations with greater number of plants growing indicate water below the surface. Look for groups of trees or shrubs to locate a good place to drill. Topography can help you make your choice. Areas of lower elevation, such as the bottoms of valleys or hills often yield more water. You may also have success drilling near rivers or other bodies of water like ponds or streams. It may also be helpful to call your county survey office or other planning organization and ask for groundwater maps. Many county offices can provide you with information about the location of water tables and places where others have successfully dug wells.
Summary: Check your local laws. Don’t put the well near sources of contamination. Confirm your well location with utility companies. Choose a site that will yield the most water.

Problem: Article: Most ovens require somewhere between 5-15 minutes to heat up to the desired temperature. Your oven may alert you when it is fully pre-heated. If not, consider purchasing an oven thermometer to determine precisely when it’s reached the correct temperature. Make sure the sliced almonds are arranged evenly in a single layer. You can use anywhere between 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) and 1 cup (240 mL) of sliced almonds. Spread them across an ungreased, rimmed baking sheet. A rimmed baking sheet prevents the sliced almonds from spilling over the edges and burning in the oven. The almonds will take 10-15 minutes to toast completely, but pay careful attention to avoid burning them. You'll know the almonds are done when they're fragrant and golden brown around the edges. Take the almonds out before they turn dark brown since they'll continue to cook for a bit after you take them out of the oven. Allow the nuts to cool completely before using. This will make them extra crunchy. If you left the almonds in the oven for slightly too long, transfer them immediately to a cool tray or bowl to prevent further toasting from the hot baking sheet. If you're not using the almonds right away, store them in a sealable plastic bag to preserve their flavor and texture. They will retain their texture and flavor for up to 2 weeks. Toasted sliced almonds are very tasty and versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes. They can add color, texture, and flavor when sprinkled on top of salads, desserts and even pizza.  Eat them on their own as a quick and healthy snack. Drizzle them in a little olive oil and sprinkle them with salt first, if you like. Mix them into cake, bread, and muffin batters. Toasted almonds are less likely to sink to the bottom than regular almonds. They will still be safe to eat after 2 weeks but will start to lose their texture and flavor. If you plan to store the almond slices immediately after toasting them, make sure you’ve allowed them to cool completely before storing. You can also freeze the nuts, which will keep them fresh for up to 3 months.
Summary: Preheat your oven to 300 °F (149 °C). Spread up to 1 cup (240 mL) of sliced almonds on a baking sheet. Cook the almonds for another 5-8 minutes or until they are golden-brown. Cool and then store the sliced almonds. Use the sliced almonds as a topping or eat them alone. Store the nuts in an airtight container for a maximum of 2 weeks.

Problem: Article: Birds look out for their natural predators and avoid nesting in places that seem to be a threat. Place a few plastic owls, snakes, or foxes near any areas that you want to keep nest-free. When a bird sees the plastic animals, it will find somewhere else to nest. Tie 2 white balloons together and paint a black circle in the center of each one. This simple scarecrow can resemble the eyes of predators and trick birds into thinking the area is unsafe. Recorded sounds of predatory animals or birds in distress can make any nearby birds think that the area is unsafe for hatchlings. Set up speakers in your backyard and play recordings during the day to deter birds from nesting.  If you would prefer not to play predatory animal recordings, wind chimes can also repel birds.  Let your neighbors know about your plans before setting up any noise recordings. Placing strips of flash tape around buildings, plants, or items where you don't want birds to nest can confuse birds and prevent them from landing nearby. If you don't have any flash tape, tying a shiny object like an old CD or piece of silverware can create a similar effect.  Mirrors work as an effective alternative to flash tape.  Aluminum pie plates also work as an alternative, and they can make a loud noise when they clang in the wind.
Summary:
Put up plastic predators near the areas where you don't want birds to roost. Create makeshift predator scarecrows out of balloons. Set up noise recordings of bird predators to frighten birds. Hang strips of flash tape or another shiny object.