You and your doctor will make a plan for how often and at what times you should use your glucometer to check your blood sugar. Sometimes this should be done three times every day. It might be hard to remember this, especially at first, but creating a system to help you remember can get you into the habit.  Make a log that you have to check off for morning, afternoon, and evening. Put it on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror – somewhere that you look often throughout the day. Check off the boxes as you go. Be creative. Try keeping three small stones in your right pocket. As you do a reading, move a stone to your left pocket. By the end of the day you should have all stones in your left pocket. This can be a tangible reminder to do your readings. Come up with something that works for you! Some diabetic glucose meters will store the readings for you in their on-board memory. With others, you will have to write your results down. Make sure you note the day, time and type of reading. For instance, was the reading taken first thing in the morning? This is known as a fasting reading. Was it taken 2 hours after a meal? This is known as a 2-hour postprandial reading. Bring your glucometer with you every time you see the doctor who takes care of your diabetes. If it stores your results, they can access them directly. If your machine does not store your results, be sure to bring your written record with you. Bring your glucometer, as well, so your doctor can check to ensure it is working properly at every visit.

Summary: Create a system to help you remember to do your readings. Keep a record of your results. Bring your record to your doctor visits.


Most decanters are meant to hold one glass at a time, but larger options are available. The largest decanter available is made for a bottle of wine. Any bigger, and you're reducing the surface area of wine exposed to air (and thus its effectiveness). Unless you're buying an antique decanter, these will be your options. Crystal decanters are durable and decorative, allowing for more intricate designs. For a stylish decanter that will last years or even decades, crystal is your best option. Do not buy crystal decanters made before 1969, as these are usually made of lead crystal. Lead crystal can leach out into your drink and cause poisoning. Standard glass decanters are usually cheaper than their crystal counterparts, and they are also more dishwasher safe. Because crystal is porous, it must be hand-washed while glass is nonporous. Glass decanters require less maintenance over time. Glass is also more heat-resistant than crystal. After sitting in a decanter from 18-24 hours, your wine will lose its flavor without a stopper. If you don't plan on drinking your wine directly after serving, use a stopper to preserve its flavor and aroma (especially if you're serving an aged wine). Not all decanters come with a stopper, so keep this in mind while shopping.  Remove the stopper around an hour before serving so your wine has time to aerate. Wine will last between 3-5 days with a stopper, on average. Sparkling wine will not last as long, and light or fortified wine will last longer. If you have a preference for red or white wines, you could buy a decanter specially made for your favorite kind. White wine decanters keep the drink at a cooler temperature, and red wine decanters usually have thinner necks for separating sediment. You can also choose decanters made for a only one type of wine, like merlot, chardonnay, or pinot noir decanters.

Summary: Decide whether you need a large or small decanter. Buy a decanter made of crystal for durability. Pick a standard glass decanter for a budget-friendly option. Choose a wine decanter with a stopper. Choose a decanter especially made for certain wines.


You can get the haircut that you like by explaining the sort of look you are going for. Describe whether you are going for a clean-cut look, or whether you want a fade that is edgier. Explain your personality and what aesthetic you want to achieve to give the barber a better idea on what kind of fade you want.  You can say something like "I work as a lawyer, so I'm looking for a fade that looks professional. Think you can help me out?" You could say something such as, "I'm in a rock band, and I want something that will stand out and set me apart from the rest. Do you have any ideas?" Take a look at people in the media to determine what kind of fade you want the most. Search online for different celebrities that have fade haircuts. Bring in a photo so that the barber can use it as a reference when cutting your hair. When selecting a photo, make sure that you choose someone with a similar hair texture so that the stylist can cut your hair the way you want.  Chose a picture of someone with a similar facial structure as yours for the best result. For example, if you have a wide jawline, look for someone who shares that feature. If you're not sure about your hair's texture, bring in multiple photos of different people with the same haircut. You can say something like, "I want my fade to look like T.I.'s fade." Check out soccer players' haircuts! They have great styles! If you've gotten a fade before, it's likely that you know the number for the buzzer or clippers that they typically use. If you have this information, let them know. Otherwise, just explain how short you want your hair to be on the sides, back, and top.  For a very short fade, ask them for a 1 or 2 sized clippers. If you want to keep your hair a bit longer, ask for a number 4-5.  It's also a good idea to talk to the barber about the length you want. Say, "I'd like to be able to part me hair," or "I want the front to fall over my forehead." Before the barber starts cutting your hair go into detail about the specific type of fade that you want. Tell them if you want a low, high, or specialty fade and get their opinion about how they think it will look on you. If you brought a picture, tell them about any deviations from the style that you're showing them so that they know exactly how you want your hair cut.  You can say something like "I want a temple fade with a line in the back, but I want to keep it longer on the top. Can you do a 2 on the sides and back and a 5 on the top?" Or you can say something like, "I want my fade to look like Lupe Fiasco's old fade, but I want the fade to start higher on the sides"

Summary: Explain your personal style. Bring a picture in with you. Tell the barber how short you want your hair to be. Talk to the barber in detail about your fade before they start cutting.


Maternity nurses receive some training in breast feeding and will be able to offer advice and guidance. Many hospitals have lactation specialists on staff to assist nursing mothers with any breast feeding issues that may arise during the hospital stay. Before leaving the hospital, be sure to take the lactation specialist’s contact information with you so that you can call with any breast feeding questions that arise when you are at home.
Summary: Ask the maternity nurses for help with proper positioning of the baby while you are still in the hospital. Enlist the help of a lactation specialist who can teach you the proper way to nurse your baby.