DIY Life

Olympic crafts to get you in the spirit

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-28T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, Crafts

Back in the 1964 Winter Olympics, my uncle won the only gold medal for the US team. Even though it took place before I was born, it's still something the family is so proud of. We're a family that gets pretty excited about the Olympics... because we know that it's a dream that can really come true.

You can get your family geared up for the Olympics with some of these simple crafts:

Use some red, yellow, and orange tissue paper to create an Olympic torch. If you have kids, this is a great time to teach them about the history of the torch relay.
Have a family gathering during the Olympics. Set up some fun games such as relays, swimming, soccer, basketball and so forth. Then hand out home-made gold, silver, and bronze-painted medals to the winners.

Use crepe paper to make multi-colored streamers -- you can make them with the colors of the Olympic rings or choose colors to support your country.
Create international flag pins with safety pins and small beads.
Make a folded fan to celebrate this year's host country.

Some simple crafts can help make watching the Olympics even more fun. And, if you have kids, these crafts are great ways to pique their interest and they provide a great opportunity for education about the spirit and history of the Olympic Games.

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Repeat your hairstyle success

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-22T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: beauty and skin care

I caught a re-run of Shear Genius last week, and the topic was timely for me. During the show, hair stylists cut and styled women's hair. But the twist was that for judging, the women needed to replicate the style on their own.

I know I've been in that type of predicament with my hair before. I'll sit in a stylist's chair and love, love, love what they did. But the next day I discover that I'm completely incapable of recreating the style on my own. Unless you're lucky enough to have the funds to pay for a personal stylist, what good is a hair cut if you can't style it yourself?

Last Friday I got a pretty drastic hair cut. I sat there watching inches of my hair fall to the floor and worried that I wouldn't be able to style it myself. Then I remembered the episode of Shear Genius, and I decided to take a few tips from the show. I'll share some ideas after the break.

If you're looking for a big change in hair style, be sure to bring in pictures of styles you like. When searching for styles, keep your face shape and your hair's texture in mind. Also, if you don't like spending a lot of time on your hair, don't pick out styles that require a lot of maintenance. Instead of just bringing in one photo, bring in several ideas.
Discuss the looks you like with your stylist. Odds are, one or two of the styles may not be that flattering for your face shape or may not work well with your texture. Your stylist is the expert -- instead of shoving a picture at him or her and saying that's what you want, go in with ideas for inspiration and talk to your stylist about options.
Find out what products your stylist is using in your hair. If the salon-quality products are too pricey, ask what store brands your stylist would recommend. Also pay attention to how your stylist applies the products.
Make sure you're facing the mirror or have a hand mirror at all times. In order to re-do the style, you need to see how it's done.
Ask questions! Ask your stylist to give you a play-by-play so you can replicate the style yourself. Better yet, give it a shot yourself. It's one thing to watch and listen... doing it yourself is even better.
Once you get to your car or get back home, jot down some quick notes on how to do your hair. After a few days, it will become routine, but it's a good idea to write down some reminders while the steps are fresh in your mind.

Saturday morning, I was thrilled to find that I could style my new 'do without any problem! My stylist was more than happy to spend a few extra minutes making sure I knew what I was doing. Some stylists may not be as patient as mine was.

But in my opinion, while you do need to be respectful of the clients they have lined up behind you, there's nothing wrong with requesting a few minutes of instruction. After all, there's no better advertisement than a referral from someone with a great haircut.

For some more tips on great-looking hair, check out Debra's post about keeping your hair healthy, Lisa's tips for living with curly hair, or Ilona's post for DIY bangs.

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Camping in the wild backyard

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-21T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, recreation

With skyrocketing gas prices, and the subsequently rising costs of food and what seems like everything else, most people just don't have quite as much room in their budget for vacations as they used to.

It's no surprise that staycation seems to be a major buzzword this year. This summer, my son and I are sticking quite close to home. If you ask my son, his favorite "vacations" of this summer may be the camping trips we've had in our own backyard.

I know it sounds silly, but there's something about setting up the tent and bringing out all the gear that's just thrilling for a kid. Even if the scenery is the same thing you see every day, somehow it looks new through the mesh window of a tent.

With a little creativity, you can make this no-cost activity actually feel like a vacation. Just think of the things you would do if you were camping away from home, then recreate the experience as much as possible. I'll share some ideas after the break.

Set up your campsite. Involve all members of the family in the process. Blow up the air mattress, roll out the sleeping bags, and set the whole site up just as you would at a campground.
Unplug. Of course you're still going to use your bathroom, but let go of other things, if possible. Turn off the computer, pack a cooler with supplies, and ignore the ringing of the phone. As much as possible, treat the night or weekend as if you're away from home.
Light your fire. If it's allowed where you live, start a campfire in a traditional or portable fire pit. If you can't have the real thing, you can still create the ambiance with a fake campfire.
Take day trips. Don't go back to "normal" life during the daylight. Instead, visit areas of your town and engage in activities that a campground might offer. Some ideas: Try a game of tetherball at the local playground, go fishing in a stream, hike along a wooded trail, or go swimming in a lake.
Outdoor dining. Be creative and come up with meals that you can enjoy outdoors. Even if you can't have a real campfire, you can still enjoy some traditional camping favorites; use your outdoor grill to cook hot dogs and burgers, and make s'mores in the microwave.

Maybe your neighbors will wonder what you're doing. So what? Your kids will appreciate the creative effort you put into the weekend. Best of all, you'll have created a fun family vacation -- and memories that last a lifetime -- with little or no cost.

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Don't It Yourself: Laser tattoos

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-16T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: miscellaneous, Don't-it-yourself

I'll admit it... I've gone under the needle more than once. In fact, I'm considering getting yet another tattoo (though I want to get a new tattoo to cover up another one, so maybe it doesn't really count).

While they didn't hurt that much, I wouldn't say it's exactly pleasant having needles zip in and out of your skin. But these laser tattoo videos on Instructables are a whole new world of pain.

According to Instructables, the sight of getting one's flesh burned by a laser cutter isn't too bad. But the subtle smell of burning flesh isn't exactly enticing. (Gee... I wonder why.) And as for the pain involved, well, let's just say it hurts.

Laser cutters serve their purpose -- for cutting wood, plastic, and the like. Not skin. So, to whoever first thought of this idea, I give you points for creativity. But I think this is a lesson in "Just because you can, it doesn't mean you should."

If you're itching to get inked, go the traditional route or, for an even less invasive method, check out Anna's post on temporary tattoos.

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Making multiplication fun with Thinkin' Logs

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-11T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, miscellaneous

Multiplication and division were major parts of my son's 4th grade curriculum this past year. My son struggled with both concepts, which was problematic: the class didn't stop at multiplying and dividing. They brought the concepts right into simple algebra!

Over the summer, I'm doing everything I can to help him strengthen the skills he learned in 4th grade. He's more than happy to read with me, he loved going to a museum that reinforced what he learned in social studies, and he's always thrilled to work on backyard science projects with me.

When it comes to math, however, he really resists practicing his skills. So I was thrilled to find these fun Multiplication Thinkin' Logs. All of the templates for the "logs" are provided. Simply print out the times tables you want to practice, and make a game out of stacking the towers.

(Do you need a little helping hand with math yourself? If so, why not check out Francesca's post on Math made easy?)

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Shrinky Dink wine charms

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-09T20:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, entertaining

If you're having friends over and the wine is going to be flowing, wine charms are a handy little accessory to have. That way, nobody forgets which glass of wine is theirs. Unless you're like me and have a memory as filled with holes as a block of Swiss cheese -- I even forget which wine charm is mine.

That's why I think Shrinky Dink wine charms that look like your friends are not only cute... they're incredibly useful, and simple to make, too!

Just draw cartoons of your friends (be kind) directly on Shrinky Dink paper or use a computer illustration program and print your artwork. Cut a small hole in the top of each cartoon and bake according to directions. Then thread the Shrinky Dink onto one-inch wire hoops. Decorate with additional beads as you wish.

If drawing isn't your thing, you have plenty of other options. Print out your friends' names in a nice font, use photos, or find clip-art that uniquely identifies your loved ones. Any way you choose to make these, your friends will appreciate the personal touch.

Check out Ryan's post about turning Monopoly pieces into wine charms, too.

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Make a popsicle stick purse

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-07T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts

And you thought popsicle stick crafts were just for kids. Not true, not true. This basket-like purse is decidedly grown-up and frankly, it's too cute for words.

You'll need about 150 popsicle sticks. (I'd spring for the new ones you buy at the craft store. It's great to save the sticks from your icy summer treats, but I'd hold those back for another project. You don't want grape, orange, or cherry popsicle stains ruining the look of your new purse!) You'll also need wood glue, wood stain, a sponge brush, a handkerchief for the liner, and leather straps for the handles.

Glue and layer rows of the popsicle sticks in an elongated diamond pattern (about 25 rows of popsicle sticks ought to do it). Once dry, create a bottom for the purse with a dozen or so popsicle sticks. Let it dry overnight and then stain it. For the lining, fold the handkerchief in half lengthwise and sew together. Attach the leather straps, insert the lining, and your purse is complete! Scribbit has all the details on making this fun and functional purse.

[via Whip Up]

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Exploding scrapbook box

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-07T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: scrapbooking, papercraft

It's so easy to just email photos off to family and friends, but there's not a lot of thought behind it. If you really want to give somebody something special, consider this exploding scrapbook box.

You'll need three sheets of 12X12 cardstock, one sheet of 6X6 cardstock, glue, ruler, scissors, photos, and any embellishments you'd like to add.

Measure and cut the 12X12 sheets into cross (or tic-tac-toe) shapes. The outer layer will be the largest, and the inner two layers will be slightly smaller. Measure and score one-inch folds on each side of the 6X6 cardstock. Cut a flap on each corner, and use glue to secure the lid.

Decorate the layers of the box and the lid as you wish. Secure the bases of the box layers with glue, slip on the lid, and your box is complete! Check out the gallery for details.

[via CraftyDaisies]

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Candy wrapper bracelet

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-03T18:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, Crafts

When I was young, my older sister had a gum wrapper chain wrapped around her bedpost. Every stick of gum she'd chewed was memorialized somewhere in that chain. I was endlessly fascinated with it and loved to watch her fold the wrappers just so.

Now there's a new twist on the gum wrapper chains. You can make a colorful bracelet out of Starburst wrappers. You'll need 30-35 Starburst wrappers -- so start saving up! This is a quick and easy process that even kids can enjoy. My son is going to make some to give to his friends (along with a resealable baggie full of Starburst candies... because we can't eat that many).

The gallery has the step-by-step instructions for making this charming jewelry, so have fun!

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Dyeing flowers with food coloring

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-02T13:00:00 00:00

Filed under: backyard science, kids, gardening and plants

I have a large flower garden in my backyard. Last year, my son had just moved in with me (I adopted him from the US foster care system). I was never able to get him very interested in the garden. This year, however, he's been a bit more involved. He's enjoyed seeing the plants spring up from their winter slumber, and he's even potted his "own" annuals.

Working in the garden has been a great learning experience for him. We discuss everything from flowers to bugs to environmental responsibility. When I stumbled across this article about dyeing flowers using food coloring, I knew it was a fun experiment my son would enjoy.

All you need is white flowers (carnations work well, but almost any long-stemmed white flower will do), food coloring, glasses or vases for each color, and water. Simply color the water and insert the freshly cut flower, then wait for the magic to happen. While it's fun to see the color change, don't forget to take advantage of the educational aspect. PBSKids has some information on how the process actually works.

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Surprise in a bath bomb

Maggie Vink — 2008-07-01T20:00:00 00:00

Filed under: gifts, beauty and skin care

I think most people would agree that bath products make a nice gift. Unfortunately, they're a little over-gifted, if you know what I mean. But, if you take some effort to make your own products and to personalize them, what was old-hat suddenly becomes new again. Whipup's bath bomb surprises are a perfect gift idea that you can personalize for anyone.

You'll need baking soda, citric acid, your choice of essential oil, a spray bottle with witch hazel, and your choice of trinkets to insert in the bath bombs. You'll also need a large bowl, a whisk, an ice cream scoop with a release mechanism, and a tray covered with wax paper.

To make the bath bombs, combine the baking soda and citric acid. Then slowly spray in the essential oils. Adding the witch hazel can be a bit tricky as you need just the right amount of moisture. Once the consistency is right, you'll be able to use the ice cream scoop to create the halves of the bath bomb. Then insert the trinket and put the two halves together. Whipup has the details.

Keep reading for different gift ideas with these "surprise inside" bath bombs.

In the tutorial, kid-sized plastic rings were inserted into the bath bombs in order to make fun party favors. But the possibilities are limitless:

Insert small charms for shower favors or heart-shaped stones for wedding favors.
For a special gift, buy miniature glass bottles and insert a different word into each bath bomb -- the recipient has to use all of the bath bombs to get the whole message. (Umm... guys? Very sweet way to ask "Will you marry me?")
Hide shells inside for a beach theme.
Print out stamp-sized pictures and laminate them before inserting into the bath bombs.
Buy your daughter a charm bracelet and insert different charms into the bath bombs. It will spread the gift out over many weeks.
Hide small items for different holidays -- mini plastic American flags for the 4th of July, spider rings for Halloween, tiny bells for Christmas, and so forth.

For more bath bomb scents, check out this post. And don't forget to check out The Scentual Life; Debra has lots of great ideas for custom bath products.

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Painting with Kool-Aid

Maggie Vink — 2008-06-30T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, art

Do you remember those scented markers that were on the market during the 70s and 80s? Everything smelled great except the black licorice marker... that was utterly vile. While I'm sure there are still scented markers available for purchase, why not try painting with Kool-Aid?

Jacki wrote about this fun project over on That's Fit. Have your kids outline a picture with markers, but don't color it in. Mix different colors of Kool-Aid in different cups -- use only two tablespoons of water for each packet. Using paintbrushes, let your kids color in their masterpiece with the Kool-Aid "paint."

After about 20 minutes the paintings should be dry. Your kids can lightly scratch the surface of their painting and enjoy the scented colors. Fruit makes a great subject for the paintings because, as one young Kool-Aid artist exclaimed, "the oranges really smell like oranges!"

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Cupcakes on a stick

Maggie Vink — 2008-06-30T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, in the kitchen

If you've got kids, you know what a hit anything bite-sized is. My son is such a fool for anything tiny, I sometimes think he would eat liver and onions if I could make it bite-sized. (Lucky for him, I'm not that mean!) These bite-sized cupcakes on a stick are sure to be a new favorite for the kids (and adults) in your life.

The cupcakes aren't baked in a mini-cupcake pan like you might expect. Instead, the cake is baked in a 13X9 pan and then crumbled and formed into balls with either frosting or cream cheese. In addition to increasing the yum factor, this step probably makes the cakes more stable on the stick.

Part of the ball is then cut away with a mini-cookie cutter to form the base of the cupcake. The the bottom is dipped in chocolate and the top is dipped in a melted white chocolate or colored candy melts. Bakerella has instructions with photos and a video clip.

Be sure to check out all the fun varieties, then put your thinking cap on and come up with your own decorating ideas -- the sky is the limit!

[via CraftyStylish]

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Carton catchers: A fun way to reuse milk jugs

Maggie Vink — 2008-06-19T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, recreation, toys, Crafts

I don't know about your house, but in mine we go through several jugs of milk a week. Because my son loves cereal, and he also loves a big glass of milk with meals, my recycling bin gets pretty full with milk jugs alone.

RePlayGround has a fun way to reuse milk jugs -- make carton catchers. Your main materials include two half-gallon milk jugs, two toilet paper tubes, and a ball (or tin foil to wad into a ball). You'll also need a tack, tape, scissors, markers, and decorative paper.

To make the carton catchers, simply cut out the milk jugs (RePlayGround has diagrams to show you how to cut them), attach the toilet paper tubes to the spouts, and decorate. I haven't made these yet, but I do wonder if the toilet paper tube would be a bit flimsy. You could use a wooden dowel or some plastic pipe for a sturdier handle.

Want more ideas for reusing milk jugs? Anna has 15 creative suggestions.

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Make Magic Shell-style ice cream sauce

Maggie Vink — 2008-06-18T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: food, kids

Do you remember Magic Shell? It's that weird and wonderful chocolate creation that, when poured over ice cream, hardens so you get to crunch through.

As a kid, it was just pure fun. As an adult, I have to wonder what in the heck goes into that stuff. It turns out that certain oils keeps the chocolate liquid until poured over the ice cream. What's more, you can make it at home.

All you need is some finely chopped eating chocolate, coconut oil, and a pinch of salt. Brownie Points gives us the how-to. You can even add different flavor extracts to create your own varieties of Magic Shell that can't be bought in stores.

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Tipsy flower pot tower for your yard

Maggie Vink — 2008-06-16T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: gardening and plants

I don't know what it's like where you live, but every time the stores come out with something new for the garden, I start seeing the item popping up all over town. Soon enough, that unique new ornament is commonplace and a bit trite.

I can honestly say that I've never seen a "tipsy" flower pot tower, though; it looks like something I want to try in my garden. To put it together, you'll need:

A tall, sturdy metal rod. (The instructions call for a 66" rod.)
One 12" round clay pot.
Four 10" clay pots.
Potting soil.

The tower looks simple enough to assemble. Drive the rod into the ground, and thread the 12" pot onto the rod. Fill with soil. Then thread the 10"pots on, balancing each pot sturdily on the pot below. All that's left to do is to fill it with your favorite flowers.

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Make a mouth organ out of old markers

Maggie Vink — 2008-06-13T20:00:00 00:00

Filed under: kids, toys, music

If your house is anything like mine, you have a handy supply of markers lying everywhere except the nice, neat basket you supplied your child with for marker storage. If you're similarly overrun with markers, haha.nu has a fun new use them. You can use the cases to make a mouth organ (or pan flute if you prefer).

You'll need at least eight markers, two straight sticks, sturdy string, and an exacto knife.

Open up the markers and empty out the ink cartridge. Replace the cap on the end of the marker. On one end, use the exacto knife to cut off a bit of the end. Cut each subsequent marker about 7mm shorter. Then, attach the markers to the sticks using the sturdy string. There's a step-by-step video on haha.nu. Have fun making music with markers!

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Double-duty dorm room decorations

Maggie Vink — 2008-06-11T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: home decor, miscellaneous, organization and storage

Are you heading off to college in the fall? The dorms are a great place to live. It's been a few years since I was there, but I'm still in touch with many of my college friends. I'll never forget the late-night Euchre games, parties, reluctant study sessions, and (unfortunately) the complete lack of space.

Even though dorm rooms are usually off-white, bland spaces roughly the size of a shoe box, you can still make them your own. In addition to posters, photographs, and other wall art, decorate your room with items that do double-duty by looking great and serving a purpose.

Storage and other multi-use items are important for your dorm room. You're not limited to milk crates "borrowed" from a local restaurant (not that I know anyone who did that... ahem). I'll share some fun, decorative, and useful dorm room ideas after the break.

Make fabric storage boxes to match your room -- they look great on a closet shelf or sitting next to your desk.
Sew over-sized pillows in your choice of fabric. If you're using bunk beds, position the beds against a wall and place the pillows along the length of the bed to make an instant couch. They also make great floor pillows.
Build a loft and customize it with a bookshelf, drawers, or other storage space on one end. Be sure to check with your university to see what rules and restrictions they have about lofts.
Make a ribbon board -- it's just as useful as a regular bulletin board and far more attractive.
Paint some inexpensive wooden clothespins. You can put a magnet on the back and stick them on your fridge or hang ribbon or wire along the wall as a place to clip the clothespins -- either way they're useful for hanging notes, reminders about upcoming assignments, photos, or ticket stubs from that awesome concert you just went to.
Make use of every square inch of space by crafting a corner shelf.
When I lived in the dorms, our closets didn't have doors -- they were just ugly, open spaces. Buy an inexpensive, expandable shower curtain rod and cover the space with a fabric curtain -- but maximize the curtain by sewing in pockets for extra storage.

Want some more help decorating your dorm? Check out Heather's post about designing your room online. And if you're opting for an apartment instead of a dorm room, Bethany has some tips for you.

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Make a marshmallow catapult

Maggie Vink — 2008-06-02T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: backyard science, kids

Last fall I took my son and his best friend to a pumpkin farm. In addition to getting lost in a corn maze, drinking cider, and picking out pumpkins, the boys had a great time in the gift shop. They found "marshmallow launchers" (simple blowguns made out of plastic piping -- breathe into one end and a mini marshmallow comes flying out the other).

You can imagine my son's delight when I found the plans for this pyramid catapult that shoots marshmallows. You'll need six garden stakes, a plastic cup, rubber bands, and a whole lot of marshmallows!

It's simple to construct. Just place three of the stakes in the shape of a triangle and secure with rubber bands. Then, use the remaining three stakes to make a pyramid. Make three holes in the rim of the plastic cup and loop rubber bands through the holes. Attach the loose ends of the rubber bands to the corners of the pyramid. Then get the marshmallows and prepare to launch! Check out the gallery for details.

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How to give a dog medicine

Maggie Vink — 2008-05-29T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: pets

A few weeks ago I took my 8-year-old English Bulldog to the vet. I thought he'd get his annual shots and we'd be on our way. Instead, he was diagnosed with arthritis (which I suspected) and I was also given the news that it was finally time to surgically correct his protruding third eyelid. Bummer.

Last week my dog went under the knife. Not only did they correct his eyelid, he also got a dental cleaning, and had his far-too-long nails trimmed back. The poor puppy was a mess. He came home, woozy from the anesthesia, and staggered around my living room like someone who had spent too many hours at the bar. But, in the days since, he's healing well.

Not only have my dog and I had to deal with the massive Elizabethan collar he's wearing, we've also had to deal with his multiple medications. It hasn't been fun. I've done some searching for tips on the web and gotten some advice from my vet on administering medications to dogs. I'll share the tips after the break.

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Pills

Try opening your dog's mouth and putting the pill as far back on his tongue as possible. Then close your dog's mouth, angle his head up, and stroke his throat until he swallows. Personally, I haven't had luck with this method, but it sure works on Lisa's cat. My dog is very amenable to sitting there, letting me stroke his throat as long as I want. When I'm done, he lets the pill fall out of his mouth.
I've had better luck wrapping my dog's pill in peanut butter seems to be the best. My vet warned me to only use small amounts as peanut butter can cause constipation for some dogs. You could also try spray treats formulated especially for dogs.
You can purchase pill pockets that are especially designed for administering pills.
Also, check out Instructable's clever idea for using melted cheese.

Liquid Medicine

Angle your dog's head up, then put the syringe with measured medicine inside his cheek pouch and administer the medicine. My dog has very loose cheek pouches, so I've found it best to open his mouth a bit to insert the syringe.

Ear drops

According to Dogs for Dummies, you should place a towel over your lap and encourage your dog to rest his head on your knees. Gently hold his ear, insert the drops, and rub your dogs ear. I've never had to give my dog ear drops, but my sister has to give them to her English Setter. She has the most luck when she lightly taps his nose with one finger to distract him while she's inserting the drops. After the drops are in, her dog loves to have his ears rubbed.

Eye drops

Dogs for Dummies recommends sitting with your dog between your knees and angling their head up so you can hit them with the drops from behind.
My dog is currently wearing an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) so the Dogs for Dummies method won't work for us. I've found that it works best if I give him his antibiotic pill in a bit of peanut butter first then -- while he's busy smacking on the treat -- sneak the drops in his eye. My vet assures me that they overfill the bottles a bit because they know that not every drop will hit its target.
When my dog had his other eye operated on (cherry eye is a common condition for Bulldogs) the vet gave me a gel. It was easy to administer by rubbing a bit on with my finger, but my dog hated it with a passion.

Shots

If your dog has a condition which requires regularly injected medication, the first step is to practice the technique with your vet. eHow gives tips on the best method for injecting medication.

Whatever medication your dog is receiving, it's important for you to stay calm while administering it. Dogs are sensitive creatures -- if you're nervous, they'll pick up on that. Use a soothing voice and distract your dog from what you're doing. When the pill, shot, or drops have been successfully administered, be sure to praise your best friend for a job well done.

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