Although valet companies value their ability to retrieve cars quickly, this may be difficult during busy hours. If you have somewhere to go and do not want to wait for your car to be dropped off, calling ahead and letting the valet workers know that you are coming will expedite the process and ensure that your car will be waiting for you when you return. Give the valet drivers at least 10 to 20 minutes if you expect things to be unusually busy, or if you are leaving an event at the same time as a large group of people. There will often be a valet worker behind a desk whose job it is to take tickets and inform drivers which cars to retrieve. Have your ticket ready when you approach the desk so that things run smoothly. The valet employee may ask for your name and for your basic information. Before tipping the valet driver or receiving the keys to your vehicle, do a quick walk around your vehicle looking for damages, large and small. Check the doors for dings, the back bumper for dents, and the front of the car for any damages that weren’t already there.  If there are damages to the car, inform the driver and ask to speak with a manager about the damages. Depending on where you live, the liable party for damages to your car will differ. Often, the driver is liable, but some companies will take on the liability themselves. Communicating damages right away is vital, as you will not be able to prove that the company is responsible if you drive away. Once the driver hands you your keys, hand the driver this second tip to meet proper valet etiquette. Thank the driver for working so hard and let them know that you appreciate their service. If you feel as though the driver did a particularly outstanding job, feel free to tip more.

Summary: Call ahead if you are in a hurry. Hand your ticket to one of the valet workers. Check your vehicle for damages once it arrives. Tip the driver $2 - $5 (USD) again before leaving.


Some people have had good luck with applying castor oil, though it's not scientifically proven. Wash around your eyes first. Use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of castor oil to your eyes. Brush it from the bottom of the eyelids to the tips two to three times a week. Like castor oil, some people have used petroleum jelly to grow out their eyelashes. You can also use a petroleum jelly replacement product. Apply petroleum jelly as you would mascara, brushing it up from the roots. Clean off a wand first. You can apply petroleum jelly nightly. That is, lightly rub your eyelids near your eyelashes. Some people claim that this process can help stimulate your hair follicles, encouraging your eyelashes to grow. Brew green tea in hot water for 1-2 minutes. Let the water cool. Use a small, clean brush to apply it to your eyelids. This treatment is not scientifically proven either, but it certainly doesn't hurt. Peel the rinds off of clean lemons. Let them sit in olive oil for a couple of days. This mixture will likely moisturize and strengthen eyelashes, and some people say it does lengthen eyelashes as well. Apply the oil as you did the castor oil. Place a drop on a cotton swab, and brush it up from the roots. Eyelashes, like your hair and nails, need nutrients to grow. Balance your meals with protein, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. Some people have found these oils beneficial. Mix 1/2 a teaspoon of coconut oil with a few drops of lavender essential oil. Apply as you would the other oils, brushing a small amount up from the roots.

Summary: Apply castor oil. Use a little petroleum jelly. Massage your eyelids. Try green tea. Make some lemon olive oil. Eat right. Create a coconut oil and lavender essential oil concoction.


Since your horse’s natural forage—grass—is unavailable, stick with good quality hay as the bulk feed source. In addition you can supplement this with high fiber foods such as sugar beet or alfalfa. These foods take a lot of chewing, which helps keep the horse occupied during the long dark hours of winter. An older horse with poor teeth may struggle with certain food sources. Try feeding older horses on haylage, or you can soak hay cubes to make them easier to chew. Horses normally burn some reserves of body fat in order to keep warm over winter. If you try to avoid this by feeding energy-dense foods (such as nuts or pellets), they may become over-stimulated and buzzy. This can lead to pent up energy and possible accidents in the stable. With hay as the main food source for your horse over the winter, you may want to add vitamin or mineral supplements in order to keep the horse healthy without overfeeding. This will provide the horse with everything it needs nutritionally without adding the extra calories or too many nuts or mixes. Consult your veterinarian and the recommended servings for supplements based on what you add to your horse’s diet.
Summary: Use good quality hay as the bulk of the horse’s feed. Don’t overfeed your horse. Add mineral supplements to your horse’s feed.