Wipe up any liquids (such as automotive fluids or any other chemicals) with a cloth. Then clear the floor of dry debris. Sweep up any dust or solids with a broom. If your concrete floor is brand new, extensive cleaning shouldn’t be necessary. However, you must wait at least 45 days after the concrete is poured before it has cured enough to be painted. For best results, use a degreaser on the floor and then an all-purpose cleaner. Spray it over the whole floor, using generous amounts over noticeable stains. Let it sit for at least ten minutes. For heavy stains, let it soak for twenty. Laundry detergent and TSP (trisodium phosphate) can also be used as cleaner. Do not combine different products, though, since their ingredients may cause harmful chemical reactions. Allow the cleaner enough time to sit, but not enough to dry. While the floor is still wet, scrub the concrete with a stiff-bristled brush or broom. Use non-metal bristles, since metal ones may scratch up the concrete. If stains persist despite heavy scrubbing, spray with more cleaner and repeat as needed. Attach a high-pressure nozzle to your garden hose. Spray the entire floor, working from the inside outward. Wash away any traces of cleaner and debris. Once you are finished, mop or squeegee the extra water out of the garage. Allow the floor to air-dry before proceeding. Alternately, use a power washer. Some models enable you to mix cleaners with water, which would allow you to use it instead of a spray bottle when applying cleaner. Before you prime your floor, inspect it for any imperfections. Apply a synthetic concrete/mortar compound over any thin cracks. For wider cracks, use a concrete patch. If the they are especially deep, apply the new concrete in layers, allowing each to dry before adding the next. Skim extra concrete off the top before it dries to keep the surface area smooth and level.

Summary: Start with a basic clean-up. Spray the concrete with cleaner. Scrub the floor. Rinse the floor. Repair cracks.


Since cookie cakes aren't meant to be frosted all over like traditional cakes, you can prepare a half-size or quarter-size batch instead.  Chocolate or vanilla buttercream are both great choices. If you make vanilla buttercream, consider tinting it with food coloring to make it look more interesting. Try to use a larger tip here so that you can cover more surface area. Snip the tip off of the bag first, then insert the tip. Alternatively, fit the piping bag with a coupler, then insert a star-shaped decorating tip into the coupler. This will make switching tips out easier. Set the piping bag into a cup or mug first, then fold the top edge down over the rim. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the frosting into the bag. After this, you can twist and tie the end of the bag, or you can secure it with a rubber band. onto the edges of the cake. Hold the tip close to the cake, then squeeze out a dollop of frosting while lifting the tip away. Release pressure on the bag, then twist it away from the piping. You should have a little, star-shaped rosette on the cake. Keep making these all around the cake. Alternatively, you can make short, overlapping dashes around the cake instead, like ripples. Fit a new piping with a large, round decorator's tip, and fill it with more frosting. Use the bag to pipe out a message on the cake that suits the occasion, such as "Happy Birthday."  If you used a coupler, then pull off the star-shaped tip and pop on the round tip. If you have more frosting left over, use it to draw a picture that fits the message, such as a set of balloons.

Summary: Prepare a batch of buttercream frosting. Fit a piping bag with a star-shaped decorator's tip. Fill the piping bag with your frosting. Pipe the frosting Use leftover frosting to write or draw something on the cake.


Consider your own behavior, words, and reactions to situations where it is difficult to keep your patience. Every interaction will teach them something about behavior, whether it is good or bad.  For example, yelling at a kid to stop yelling will make no sense to them and will reinforce the idea that the best way to deal with impatience is with more impatience. Although setting a good example all the time can be difficult, and it may feel as though you have already modeled more than enough patience for the given situation, remember that while kids don’t always deserve more patience, they do need it. Impatience is formed due to other emotions bubbling over and not being dealt with. Get things out in the open and communicate clearly, so that outside issues don’t harm your patience towards the kids. If you can’t deal with the situation straight away, write down your action plan on a piece of paper and revisit it as soon as you get the chance. There are many healthy changes that you can make in your own life which will build your natural patience and help you to keep your cool. Caring for yourself, and having a lifestyle which reflects this will build up a healthy, patient mindset.  Sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours per night. Sleep is crucial for both your physical and emotional well-being, which includes having patience. Staying up late robs you of your energy, joy, and patience for tomorrow. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. Being dehydrated never helps an already low mood. Drinking water will help you to think clearly and feel energized. Always plan ahead. Plan for the worst case scenario for stressful tasks and days, and keep lists so that you feel all set to tackle what’s ahead. It will become easier to build patience towards children if it is part of all areas of your life. As patience becomes more harmonious in your life, it will become easier to set a good example for your kids.  Practice patience at work if interactions with your boss or colleagues wear your patience thin.Take deep breaths and communicate your feelings clearly. Work on patience towards your partner and family too. Start by addressing any underlying issues so that everyone can feel more patient towards each other.

Summary: Set a good example for the child. Address any underlying emotions towards other people and situations. Practice patience-building habits in your life. Model patience in all areas of your life.


Make sure to define the behavior that bothers you so your friend knows to avoid it in the future. Set a few quick ground rules so offensive comments will not become routine. For example, say, "I really just prefer to explain my sexuality on my own. Let me come out to people on my own terms. You don't need to try to define anything for me." After the confrontation, try not to dwell on the issue and wonder if you explained yourself well enough. Confronting your friend is important to help you feel that your voice is heard, but you cannot force another person to change. Acknowledge you've done what you can to explain your offense, but it's now on your friend to take your concerns to heart. If a friend doesn't listen, there need to be consequences for this. Your friend should understand that you won't tolerate the behavior to begin with. Let them know you will reconsider the friendship if such comments don't stop. For example, say something like, "I know you didn't mean anything by it, but that's not something I can tolerate. I really need you to work on this in the future, as I don't want to spend time with prejudiced people." If your friend continues to make the same kind of comments in the future, it may be time to reevaluate a friendship. You can only use the excuse of ignorance for so long. If your friend continues to be offensive, even after your boundaries have been clearly explained, you're within your right to end the friendship.
Summary: Let the person know what types of comments to avoid in the future. Remember it's not your responsibility to change someone else. Make sure there are consequences. Walk away if the person does not change.