Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Think about what your card should look like. Decide on a design. Write a list of what you will need. Assemble your materials for the card. Make a draft before starting the final product. Write your own instructions. Make a step-by-step list of things you need to do. Make your card. Evaluate the final product. Write the card. Deliver the card.

Answer: This can be a daunting task- either you have a lot of ideas or none at all. However, you can find inspiration in many places.  Be creative- how can you show what you are grateful for? Examples include a cut-out of your hand on colorful paper, apple/potato stamps, a pop-up-card- but there are no limits to your ideas! Look online on crafting forums for inspiration- even if you only find what you don't want to do!  Bounce off ideas with friends or parents- good feedback is always helpful! Here you need to be practical and think about what's doable and what is not.  Evaluate your artistic abilities and time. What can realistically be accomplished? Think of your teacher first- what would they like? Maybe something that you don't like would appeal to them. Now that you've decided on what you'd like to do, think of what you have and what you need and write it down.  Look around the house and see what you already have- old paper scraps could be re-purposed for shapes you want to glue to your card, for example. Ask friends and family for old materials they might discard otherwise, such as textile cloths or old crayons. Consider using different materials to layer the card, for example: markers, crayons, glitter, glue, stickers, pens, and paint. Your list is complete, and all you have to do is buy your materials.  Go to an arts and craft store instead of ordering materials online. The sales clerks at arts and craft stores create things everyday- they'll be happy to help and give you great tips! Line them up in the order you will need to use them. When you are in the process, preparation will save you time and energy. This step takes extra time, but it will be worth it in the end. Also, if your draft looks good, you can give it to another teacher!  Put effort into the draft- it will give you ideas for the final product and tell you what works and what doesn't. Take notes during your draft- so that you know what worked and what did not. This may seem silly, but it's helpful to you and later to others, should you decide to share your instructions. This will help you to not forget anything important. Think about typing up your instructions and sharing them with others! After all the preparations, it's time to make your card. Here is what to keep in mind:  Follow your own instructions- to a t! Neatness and precision are essential when it comes to crafting a card for a teacher- it's another way of showing them that their lessons were appreciated. Draw, glue, paint your card. Pay attention to what you are doing- it's easy to make a mistake working with different materials. You're done! Now it's time to look at your card and see if you like it, and more importantly, if your teacher would like it!  Compare it with your draft- what is better, what is worse? Consider making a second card, to have a backup. This is often perceived as the hardest part, as you don't want to be clichéd or trite in your words.  Be honest and creative: tell them why they are great, but tell them in your own special way: For example, write your message in a secret code and leave them a clue.    Be personal: If there is a special instance when they helped you or were nice mention that. The fact that you remember shows that you pay attention and your teacher will love it. On to the home stretch! A beautifully delivered card underlines the content and makes your teacher happy.  Hand deliver the card. Deliver the card when your teacher has a free moment and time to appreciate the card- that's after school most of the time. Smile when presenting it to your teacher- this will signal your true intentions to them. Watch your posture and enunciate your words properly- this shows confidence!


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Read up on codependent behavior. Understand that you cannot cure your family member of codependency. Look at where the codependent person is coming from. Consider whether you are influencing the codependent behavior. Detach from your family member. Establish personal boundaries.

Answer: To recognize codependency, you have to know what it looks like. Taking time to educate yourself will not only help you see if your family member fits the description, it will also help you understand their mental state. Only a mental health professional can diagnose codependency, but some telltale symptoms include:  Low self-esteem Constant people-pleasing Little to no boundaries Caretaking as a means of control Painful emotions Codependency is a mental health condition. Like many other mental health problems, it's not something you can cure or eliminate for your family member. They may not even recognize it as a problem, and instead, think that they are getting along just fine with you and your other family members.  Don't expect your family member to see their behavior as codependent if they haven't already come to that conclusion on their own. Trying to force your family member to see your perspective may only make matters worse. Treatment in the form of psychotherapy is available. However, your family member likely won't seek it until they come to their own conclusion that there are no other options. You should not feel like you need to withstand emotional manipulation in any sense. However, it is also important to understand that a codependent person may not know they are manipulating you. In their mind, they are often being supportive and doing the best possible thing for you. Understanding whether a person is or is not intentionally trying to manipulate you can help you figure out how you want to interact with your family member. Do not use this to try and justify their actions in your own mind. Simply remember that a codependent person is not operating in the same frame of mind as you. Their actions are being guided by a mental health problem. In some cases, codependency can be an overcompensating reaction to another person’s behavior. Think honestly about whether you are engaged in any activities or behaviors that may be feeding a family member’s codependency.  For example, codependence is often seen in the parents and spouses of addicts. The codependent person may feel an endless obligation to take care of the addict for fear of what would happen if they don’t. Think honestly about whether you have behaviors and tendencies that might be feeding into a codependent person’s behaviors. If so, you may be part of a codependent relationship. Detachment doesn’t mean that you will never see or speak to your family member. Instead, detachment means separating your family member from their manipulative behaviors. Respond selectively to only those things that are a part of your family member’s life or personality, and not that which is a part of codependency. If, for example, your mother asks for some fashion advice about shoes, this is a normal and healthy interaction. If she comes to your house to replace all of your shoes because she believes you aren’t getting the best arch support, this is a codependent action. You may or may not choose to communicate those boundaries to your family member. You should, however, take some time to set boundaries with which you are comfortable. Consider your personal health and ask yourself what do you need to stay physically and mentally healthy on a daily basis. Build your boundaries around that.  If, for example, it is important for you to have time every evening to wind down and disconnect for the day, make a boundary that says you will not answer calls, texts, or social media after a certain time. If you do choose to let your family member know about your boundaries, state them as fact. You don’t need to rationalize them. You can simply tell your family member, “I’ve decided I don’t want to be on my phone or computer after 7 pm anymore.” Then, stay steady on your new policy, even if they argue or disagree.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Use a soft brush. Wipe the wood with a microfiber cloth.

Answer:
A soft brush is good for brushing away small pieces of debris trapped inside the grooves and ridges of the unfinished wood. Use the soft brush to gently wipe away anything caught in the crevices and then vacuum it up.  For best results, use a gentle flicking motion with the bristles of the brush on the surface of the wood. A soft brush will also prevent damage to the wood because it employs a gentle touch. Additionally, you can use a microfiber mop or broom. Using a microfiber cloth to gently wipe the surface of a piece of unfinished wood is a simple and easy technique for cleaning the wood. This method is best for surface dirt that is not ingrained very deeply. Just run the microfiber cloth along the surface of the wood to pick up any excess dust and dirt. Make sure the microfiber cloth is clean ahead of time. You can wash it in the sink with soap and water (and then let it fully air dry) or you can wash it in the washing machine and toss it in the dryer before use.