INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Days and weeks after, see whether or not you are becoming closer as a couple.  Make sure that what you told him is not effecting the relationship in a negative way.  After sharing an intimate moment with one another, often times there is a desire to not reengage the topic right away.  This is perfectly natural.  However, your boyfriend should always be open to talking again in the future. Look for any signs such as physical contact, your boyfriend giving you gifts, or the use of sweet, soft language.  These can often be signs of a boyfriend who understands what he heard, has taken it to heart, and wants to show you that he cares about you. Occasionally bring up the topic again in passing.  See whether or not your boyfriend is squeamish, or wants to hear what you have to say. Sometimes boyfriends are not very emotionally open.  This is normal, but something that needs to be worked on.  If you were not able to convince your boyfriend to have a shared moment with you, persist in asking him.  It can never hurt to simply keep asking.  A healthy relationship is built on openness, so eventually it is critical for you to reveal your past to him. Some men simply will not listen, or wish to talk.  While that might be easy for them, it is not healthy for your relationship.  Leaving notes in the home, or in his vehicle can demonstrate how serious this is for you.  Talking to someone else, and getting them to ask him to talk with you can also help. After a period of time has gone by, talk about your memories a second or third time.  With time passing by, it can become easier to release more intimate details or circumstances you would not have before   Often times the first time sharing can be very emotional.  Shyness, or crying can ensue which might interfere with what you have to say.  Reengaging at another point in time should tamper down some of those more obvious emotions/reactions. Feel free to release more information.  The details might not have all been released at the start, or you might have shied away from giving too much away. As you and your boyfriend create new experiences together as a couple, tell him how your past is shaping your current events/circumstances.  If that memory is negatively effecting a present moment, your boyfriend now knows how to help you get out of a bad situation. Your first talk may lead to others down the road about completely different subjects.  This is a sign of growth in the relationship, and can only help the couple become stronger.  Ask your boyfriend if he wishes to have a talk about his past.  Let him know that you are open, just as he was, to intimate discussion.  However, do not press to hard, as he may be more afraid or shy about opening up. Try and create intimate moments without any specific goals in mind.  Tell your boyfriend you wish to talk, but are not sure about what.  Create a scene, just like before, but let loose about all types of things in your past or your boyfriends past.  A constantly fluctuating dialogue can be great, especially for partners that may be nervous. Sharing moments from your past should open the relationship up to new possibilities, and create stronger bonds of friendship.  If your partner is not receptive, it may be time to reevaluate your relationship.  Revealing something about your past can boost your relationship from the "friend zone" to a more rich and understanding partnership.  If your partner is not open to any deep, thoughtful communication, your relationship could be stuck in that "zone" for a while, if not permanently.  Think about whether or not a boyfriend who does not want to hear you out is the best person to have in your life.  You not only need a friend, but an emotional partner that can help you overcome any trauma from past experiences. Judge for yourself about where the relationship is headed.  Let your boyfriend know that opening up is important, and if he does not the relationship might be over.  Ultimatums are never good for a strong couple, so let your boyfriend come around on his own.  However, make sure not to wait to long.

SUMMARY: Observe your boyfriend's reaction and emotional response. State clearly that talking about your past is important to you. Talk about your past experiences again. Engage in other topics about you and your boyfriend's pasts. Make sure that you and your boyfriend are getting closer.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Use lukewarm water to avoid shock to the roots, and water when the top ½ inch (13 mm) of soil dries out. Stick your finger into the soil, and if the top feels dry, it's time to water. Continue watering until the excess flows out the holes in the bottom of the pot.  These tropical plants love plenty of water, but it's important to have moist, damp soil rather than soggy or wet soil. During dormancy periods in late fall and winter, cut back on watering and let the soil dry out to a depth of 1 inch (2.5 cm). Crotons are native to tropical areas, and they won't thrive in temperatures below 60 °F (16 °C). The ideal temperature for these plants is between 70 and 80 °F (21 and 27 °C) during the daytime, and 65 °F (18 °C) at night. It is possible to grow crotons outdoors, but only in warm climates with high humidity levels. If you live in a cooler or drier climate, grow your croton inside where you can control the environment. The ideal humidity range for crotons is between 40 and 80 percent, with the optimal level being around 70 percent.  You can achieve this by misting the leaves every 1 to 2 days, or by growing the plant in a bathroom that's used often for showers and baths.  Another way to generate humidity for the plant is to place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles that are covered in water. Replace the water as necessary to keep the pebbles wet.  To measure the humidity around the croton, you can use a device called a hygrometer. These are available at home, garden, and department stores. Crotons need lots of nutrients to grow their colorful leaves. During active growing periods in spring, summer, and early fall, feed the plant every month by adding a liquid or powder fertilizer to the water before watering.  The best fertilizer for crotons is one that's high in nitrogen and potassium, such as an 8-2-10 mix, because these chemicals help plants grow strong stems and leaves. The numbers refer to the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the fertilizer. Don't feed the plant during dormancy periods during the late fall and winter months. Choose a pot that's 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) larger than the current pot. Look for a pot with plenty of drainage holes. Fill the pot halfway with a rich potting soil. Carefully remove the croton from the original pot and place it gently into the new one. Cover the roots with additional potting soil and water to set the soil in place.  Repotting a croton can result in leaf drop, but you can minimize shock to the plant by only repotting in mid or late spring.  Instead of potting soil, you can also use a half-and-half mixture of peat moss and aged compost. Some species of crotons can reach up to 6 feet (1.8 m), and you can limit their growth by maintaining the same container size. When you want the plant to stop growing, repot it in spring into a pot that's the same size. Instead of repotting the plant, you can also top dress it to keep it healthy. Remove the top 3 inches (7.6 cm) of soil each spring and replace it with fresh potting soil.

SUMMARY: Water regularly with lukewarm water to keep the soil moist. Keep the plant around 75 °F (24 °C). Maintain a higher humidity around the plant. Fertilize the plant monthly during active growing periods. Repot the plant in spring when it outgrows its current pot. Stop growth by repotting with the same pot size.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Make sure the packaging tape overlaps the top and bottom halves of the plastic bottle so it can create an airtight seal. Guide the tape around the bottle and press it tightly against the plastic to seal it. Continue wrapping around the bottle 2–3 times with the packaging tape so it doesn’t come undone or break. You can also try using duct tape to help seal the bottle.

SUMMARY:
Wrap packaging tape around the middle of the plastic bottle to secure the halves.