INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Make sure the bags are big enough so that they'll put pressure on the shoe when they expand in the freezer.  When you seal the plastic bag up, remove any air from the inside of the bag. This will make it easier to mold the water inside the bag to the contour of your shoe. This method will involve placing your shoes in the freezer for an extended period of time, during which time they may get wet. Be sure that the shoes you are using with this method aren't irreplaceable or susceptible to water damage. Make sure that the seal is tightly locked. You don't want your shoes covered in ice when you remove them from the freezer. Your shoes should contain a smaller plastic bag inside the cavity and a larger one protecting it from outside moisture. When the water inside the shoe freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the cavity in the shoe and breaking them in. The advantage of using water as opposed to a shoe stretcher is that the water will adjust to the contours of the inside of your shoe perfectly. The water filled baggies should now be solid ice. You may have to wait a few minutes in order to slide them out easier. Once the shoes have warmed up a bit, try walking in them and even running and jogging in them if they are athletic shoes.

SUMMARY: Fill up two sandwich bags halfway full of water. Place one of the baggies in each shoe. Put the shoes in a bigger, sealed plastic bag and place into freezer. Wait 3 to 4 hours. Take the shoes out of the freezer. Take the baggies out of your shoe. Try on your shoes.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: To determine what kind of pump you need, first measure across the width of the head of your waterfall. Then, measure vertically from the top of the waterfall to the water’s surface. Finish by deciding how quickly you want water to flow through the system. Use these numbers to calculate the correct pump rating you need for your waterfall.  Search for a waterfall pump calculator online, then plug in your estimates to figure out the minimum pump rating you need for your waterfall to function. A medium flow requires a pump discharge rate of 1,500 US gal (5,700 L) per hour, or gph. Use a 1,000 US gal (3,800 L) estimate for a slower flow and a 2,000 US gal (7,600 L) estimate for a heavier flow. On average, the pump needs to handle 1,500 US gal (5,700 L) per 1 ft (0.30 m) of width at your waterfall’s head. Check the owner’s manual with your pump for specific setup instructions. You usually need a rubber hose that is long enough to run from the pump to the top of your waterfall. Measure this distance as well as the opening on the pump. After getting a hose with the same size opening, fit it directly over the pump’s opening.  If your pump is inside an enclosure, use a 2 in (5.1 cm) hole saw to cut a few holes in the enclosure. Keep the holes about 4 in (10 cm) apart to let water into the pump. Plant the pump deeply inside the lower pond or basin and make sure the hose is long enough to reach the top of your waterfall. An easy way to build one is by using a heavy-duty, 3-sided plastic storage bin. Face the open end of the bin toward the waterfall and lower basin. Then, drill a hole the same size as the adapter on your hose. Finish the valve by connecting the hose using a rubber washer and a bead of silicone adhesive.  To secure the hose further, add a steel lock-nut and a hose clamp. Valves are a great way to get the water flowing down the waterfall, especially in a long stream. In most cases, valves are more for aesthetic purposes rather than a necessity for controlling the water flow. Rest the rocks on the edges of the ponds or basins, using them to pin the liner in place. Push them as close together as possible to hide the liner while preventing the water from splashing out. Also, arrange the rocks to cover the pump, hose, and other components you wish to hide. Place the rocks carefully to avoid blocking or crushing the hose and other components. They are heavy and have to be placed with care. Hide the components between the rocks instead of piling rocks on top of them. Place some medium-sized rocks at the top of the waterfall or over the steps in a stream. Arrange them in a semicircular pattern, if possible, along the edge of each drop. Flat rocks are a great choice in most waterfalls since they look good and are easy to fit together. Pile all of the rocks as closely together as possible so the water flows around them on its way down to the lower basin. Spread some expanding foam underneath the rocks as needed to hold them in place over the liner. Also, use the foam to fill in any gaps, forcing the water to move over the rocks instead of through them. Open up your bags of gravel and begin pouring them directly onto the underlayment. You need plenty of bags to cover over both basins and the waterfall, so don’t hold back. Make the gravel layer at least 3 in (7.6 cm) deep to hide the liner. When you’re done, smooth the gravel layer out as much as possible with your hands so it looks even.  Pack plenty of gravel and dirt around larger stones to help hold them in place. Remember that the gravel is much lighter than the larger stones, so it’s better for holding down and hiding hoses and other components. Spray down your entire waterfall until the water rises above the gravel and the pump underneath it. With water in the basin, you can safely activate the pump. Run the pump while continuing to spray the stones until the water looks clean. Tidy up your waterfall as needed before sitting down to enjoy its soothing sounds. Spraying the stones dislodges dirt and other debris in the waterfall. The rocks and pebbles help aerate and purify the water while it moves through the system.

SUMMARY: Calculate the pump strength you need to circulate water. Install and connect the pump before placing it in the basin. Connect the upper chamber flow valve if you plan on using one. Line the outer edges of any basins with large boulders. Build the waterfalls by forming shelves out of rocks. Spread gravel and tamp it down to cover the rest of the liner. Wash the rocks with a gentle spray to fill the waterfall.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Scrubs work best on damp skin, so enjoy the warm water for 5 to 10 minutes. This will help soften the skin up in preparation for the scrub. Have the jar of scrub ready to use. How much you scoop up depends on what area of your body you will be scrubbing. You'll need more scrub for your legs (ie: palm-full) than for your feet (ie: coin-sized). Cover the jar with its lid immediately after, especially if you are taking a shower, so that no water gets inside. Use a gentle, circular motion while doing so. Keep the body part out of the water while doing this so that the scrub does not wash off. You can massage the scrub for up to 1 or 2 minutes. If your skin feels oily afterwards, you can wash it with soap and more water. Leaving a thin film of oil on your skin would not be a bad idea, however, especially if you have dry skin. The oil will get absorbed into your skin, and help moisturize it. Body oil would be even better because it absorbs into your skin more readily. Lightly pat your skin dry—enough so that it is still damp, but not dripping wet—then apply your desired moisturizing lotion o body oil. Avoid using the scrub too often, or you may end up irritating your skin. You can also use the scrub less often, if you prefer. The scrub is self-preserving, so it should last up to 1 year; if it starts to look or smell bad before then, however, toss it out. If you added citrus juice to your scrub, use it within 1 week. You can prolong its shelf life to 2 or 3 weeks by keeping it in the fridge, however.

SUMMARY:
Step into the tub or shower. Scoop out a small amount of the scrub. Massage the scrub onto your skin. Rinse the scrub off. Follow up with some moisturizer. Use the scrub up to once or twice a week.