Article: Get the end of a cleaning cloth damp with warm water and use it to clean off your metal. Make sure to clean off all of the surfaces that you’re painting so the paint can adhere well to them. Dry off any spots that are still wet. Avoid sanding your metal since it will leave noticeable scratches. 1 coat of chalky paint onto your furniture and let it dry. Buy a container of chalky paint and soft-bristled paintbrush from your local paint supply store. Dip the end of your brush into the paint and apply a thin layer to your metal furniture. Work from the top of the piece down toward the bottom until it’s entirely covered in paint. Leave the paint to dry overnight so it has a chance to cure.  Make sure not to use chalkboard paint instead of chalky paint. Chalky paint has a matte finish and is usually used for distressing, while chalkboard paint is meant to be written on once it’s dry. It’s okay if the first coat doesn’t cover the metal evenly since it will make your piece look more distressed. Once the first layer is completely dry, put on another coat of paint until your furniture has even color. Once all of the exposed metal is covered with paint, let it dry for 3-4 days so the paint has time to settle. Don’t try to distress the metal while it’s curing because the more paint may peel off of the metal than you want. Get the corner of a cleaning cloth wet and rub any areas where you want to expose the metal underneath the paint. Work around edges and corners since they’re areas where distress naturally happens first. Apply light pressure to lift up the paint. If you accidentally remove to much paint, pat the area dry and cover the spot with another coat. Dip the end of a cheesecloth in the finishing wax and pick up a small amount from the container. Rub the wax onto the paint in circular or back and forth motions until it’s clear. Coat the entire piece of furniture so it’s protected and won’t get easily damaged. If your furniture feels waxy, keep buffing it out with a cloth until it doesn’t.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Wipe any dust and dirt off with a cleaning cloth. Paint Apply a second coat of paint and let it cure for 3-4 days. Wipe areas with a damp cloth to distress them. Seal the paint with finishing wax to protect it.
Article: A winter party is the ideal time to have warm comfort foods and drinks. Hot chocolate can be a great winter party beverage that most people enjoy.  To make it more festive, have a hot chocolate bar. On a table, set up hot chocolate with plenty of toppings for your guests to choose from. You can have whipped cream, chocolate chips, sprinkles, crushed cookies, and peppermint stirring sticks. In addition to hot chocolate, you can also serve warm apple cider. Set your drinks out with an assortment of mugs for your guests to choose from. Whether or not your party falls around a meal time, it’s good to have snack types foods.  Pizza is a great finger food that can be a meal or a snack. You can also serve breadsticks or pizza dough pretzels in addition. Serve different kinds of dips, like onion dip or hummus, with chips and pretzels. For a healthier snack, set out cut fruit and vegetables on a platter. This allows your guests with various dietary preferences or allergies to all find something that they like. For example, nachos are a great party dish. You can serve all the topping in bowls along a table, and allow your guests to build their own. Other dishes like this include:  Salads Sandwiches Burgers and vegetable burgers Rice bowls Tacos Personal pizza Spaghetti For your birthday, you’ll want to have some type of sweet confection to celebrate with. You can go with a traditional decorated cake or cupcakes, or you can choose another type of dessert. Some alternatives to traditional cake include:  Cheesecake Ice cream cake A cake made from donuts A cookie cake or platter Pie Brownies
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Serve warm drinks. Make finger foods. Create a buildable dish. Consider the cake.
Article: If your co-workers or friends are having difficulties understanding you, even if you’ve been practicing on your own, it might be time to seek out a professional speech-language pathologist (SLP) for help.  SLPs work with clients on speaking rate, rhythm, intonation, public speaking, conversation, and accented sounds.  Many larger universities have  high-quality speech-language pathology clinics, so check your local university first.  Use the search tools at non-profit organizations for speech-language pathology to find a certified SLP. A basic Internet search for "accent reduction," "accent modification," or “dialect modification” and the name of your locality. Some resources offer individual training, while others have group lessons.  Group classes might be useful if you want to practice your accent with a wider variety of people. Individual sessions are an option if you want to build more confidence before you practice with others, or if you need a more flexible training schedule. Some clinics and professionals will request a phone consultation to evaluate your needs and goals before beginning your training. In order to help you meet your particular goals, your SLP will first evaluate your speech patterns. He or she will ask you to read texts and words of various lengths, as well as engage you in a conversation. He or she will be listening to your pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, and syllable stresses.The SLP will also listen to your speech in conversation. With your SLP, determine your goals for your accent modification process. These goals should be based on your personal and professional needs, as well as the evaluation of your southern accent you completed.  Some goals are highly career related, such as preparing for presentations, performances, or interviews. Be as specific as possible when having this conversation with your SLP. Your later sessions, in some cases, will be aimed at achieving these specific goals, so be clear about them early. You can also adjust them along the way, as your skills and needs change. The sounds of your first language, including regional dialects, were imprinted by the time you were a year old, so you’ll always have the hint of your original accent in your voice. Continued practice with your new, neutral dialect will reduce the effect of your accent over time.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Determine if you need to seek professional training. Research professional accent or dialect modification options in your area. Contact your chosen professional or speech-language organization. Go to your first appointment. Set your accent modification goals. Keep practicing, even after your program or training ends.