Problem: Article: Measure the area that you will need to cover in shoe molding. Using a tape measure, measure all along the wall. You'll want to write down the exact measurements of each run, from corner to corner. The overall measurements will tell you how much shoe molding to buy and the run measurements will tell you how long to cut each section.  If you have any outside corners in your room, you'll want to cut the molding for that section longer than the wall itself. Add about 1-2". This is necessary to make sure that the two pieces will be long enough to go around the whole corner and stay connected. You may have a wall that is longer than an individual piece of shoe molding. Don't worry! We'll show you how to join two pieces together with as little a seam as possible. For inside corners, which are the most common corner type in a room, you'll have a few different options for how you can cut the molding. The best option, which will adjust the corner if it is not a perfect 45 degrees and let the molding shift naturally as the wood changes with the season and age, will be to cope one side of the molding.  To do a cope cut, cut one of the two molding pieces to the exact length of the wall for that side, so that the end butts up against the adjoining wall. Next, cut the second piece at a 45-degree angle, with the back side being the longer side. After that, you'll take your coping saw and cut the end in an opposite 45-degree angle, with the saw carefully following the edge of the front face.  Sand the edge once the inside is cut away. This should leave you with a face that looks normal but hides a gap behind it. This allows you to fit it against the other piece of shoe molding like a puzzle piece, create a nice seam.  If you can't get or don't want to get a coping saw, or if you're really in a hurry (or you just don't care that much), you can simply miter the ends. The long side of the board, once cut, should be on the back and measure to the length of the wall itself. For an outside corner, simply miter both ends of the two molding pieces. The back side of the molding should fit the measurement of your wall and be the shorter side of the miter. Placing just a bit of glue where the two sides meet can help ensure that the joint stays firm and a gap does not form. Cut diagonal outside corners. Sometimes your baseboards or wall may not meet at a 45-degree angle but instead have a flat, diagonal corner. If this is the case, cut your molding pieces at 22.5 degrees and make sure that the back side of the middle piece matches the length of the diagonal face. If you have a long run that requires two pieces of molding, do not butt together the two ends of molding. Instead, miter cut (45 degrees) both ends in opposite directions so that the two pieces overlap at the joint. This will prevent a visible gap as the wood shrinks and expands over time.
Summary: Measure the room. Cut inside corners. Cut outside corners. Cut your mid-run joints.

Problem: Article: If you have chronic pain and don’t necessarily need immediate relief, consider applying a dry heating pad. Just like moist heat, dry heat can increase blood flow and oxygen supply and relax tender muscles. Unlike moist heat, you can apply dry heat for longer periods of time over the course of the day.  Understand that using dry heating pads can dry out your skin.  Use dry heating pads for up to 15 minutes every hour or two. You can easily fashion a dry heating pad with a few items you have around your house. You can either sew them into a proper heating pad for re-use or use it only while you’re experiencing pain. Gather the following items:  A piece of cloth such as a sock, pillowcase, or cloth bag. You can also take a handkerchief or washcloth and sew the ends together to make a pack. Some type of filling such as rice, flaxseed, buckwheat, or oatmeal. A needle and thread if sewing your pack.  You can also add a soothing oil such as lavender essential oil to your pack. This can help you further relax. No matter what you’ve decided to use to fashion your heating pad, put it together before you use it. If you’re sewing one together from cloth, make sure to use tight stitches to minimize the risk of filling falling out.  Check your cloth piece, tube sock, or pillowcase for holes. If you find any, either sew those or select a different type of pad to use. Fold over the piece of cloth and sew together each side except one where so that you can add your filling. Make sure the stitches are close together and tight to prevent leaking. Once you’re heating pad is sewn or ready for use, add your selected filling. Make sure the pad is sealed tightly so that none of the filling can fall out.  Use any type of filling you like. Rice, flax seed, buckwheat, and oatmeal are excellent options because they have small grains that can easily spread over a small or large area. You can also try dried beans such as pinto, kidney, or lentils. Avoid overfilling the pad. Put enough in it to let it move across the area you want to heat. For example, you might want to put between 4 and 6 cups of uncooked rice in a large tube sock.  Place a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil in the filling for a pleasant smell and the benefits of aromatherapy.  Sew the unsealed end of the heating pad if fashioning your own from cloth or a pillowcase. Close up a sock by knotting it at the open end. Place your heating pad in the microwave to warm up the filling. The heat from the filling can help relax your muscles and relieve tension.  Heat the filling in the microwave for 1-3 minutes. This can warm up the filling to a comfortable temperature for you and prevent it from exploding.  Remove the pad slowly from the microwave to minimize the risk of burning yourself. Allow the pad to cool if it is too hot or re-heat it if it isn’t warm enough. When the pad is at an optimal temperature for you, lay it on your skin. Place a thin cloth or towel under the pad to minimize your risk of burning yourself. Leave the heating pad on the area for treatment for no longer than 20 minutes. If you continue to have pain, you can repeat application of your dry heating pack every 1-2 hours for 15-20 minutes. Talk to your doctor if your pain persists for a long period of time.
Summary:
Be aware when to use dry heat. Gather materials to make your pad. Put together your heating pad. Fill and seal the heating pad. Microwave your heating pad. Lay the pad on your skin. Repeat application.