how expensive of a house can i buy

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including your income, savings, credit score, and the cost of housing in the area where you want to buy a home. Lenders typically use a debt-to-income ratio (DTI) to determine how much of a mortgage you can afford. This ratio is calculated by dividing your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income.

As a general rule, most lenders prefer a DTI ratio of 43% or less. This means that your total monthly debt payments, including your mortgage payment, should not exceed 43% of your gross monthly income. However, some lenders may allow a higher DTI ratio depending on other factors, such as your credit score.

It's also important to consider your down payment. Generally, the more money you can put down, the less you'll need to borrow and the lower your monthly mortgage payments will be. A larger down payment can also help you qualify for a better interest rate.

Ultimately, it's important to carefully consider your financial situation and consult with a lender or financial advisor before deciding how much house you can afford. They can help you determine a realistic budget based on your income, expenses, and other factors.

How to train small dogs

Training small dogs is not very different from training larger dogs, but there are some things to keep in mind. Here are some tips on how to train small dogs:

1. Start early: It's best to start training your small dog as early as possible, ideally when they are still a puppy. This will help them develop good habits early on.

2. Be consistent: Consistency is key when training any dog, but especially small dogs. Make sure you establish clear rules and boundaries, and be consistent in enforcing them.

3. Use positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is a very effective way to train small dogs. Reward them with treats or praise when they do something good, and ignore bad behavior.

4. Keep training sessions short: Small dogs have short attention spans, so keep training sessions short and focused. Ten to fifteen minutes per session is a good rule of thumb.

5. Be patient: Small dogs can be more difficult to train than larger dogs, so it's important to be patient and not get frustrated. If you're struggling with a particular behavior, consider hiring a professional trainer to help you.

6. Socialize your dog: Small dogs can be prone to fear and anxiety, so it's important to socialize them early on. Take them to puppy classes or dog parks to help them get used to being around other dogs and people.

Remember, training your small dog takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it. A well-trained small dog can be a great companion and a joy to be around.

what is the solution for puffy eyes

Puffy eyes can be caused by a variety of factors such as lack of sleep, allergies, dehydration, or even genetics. Here are a few solutions that may help reduce the puffiness:

1. Get enough sleep: Make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night to prevent puffiness caused by lack of sleep.

2. Use a cold compress: Place a cold compress, such as a cold washcloth, over your closed eyes for 10-15 minutes to help reduce swelling.

3. Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated can help prevent puffiness by reducing water retention in the body.

4. Avoid salty foods: Eating too much salt can lead to water retention and contribute to puffiness, so it's important to avoid salty foods.

5. Use eye creams: Applying eye creams containing caffeine or green tea can help reduce puffiness by constricting blood vessels and reducing inflammation.

6. Try facial massage: Gentle massage around the eye area can help improve lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness.

If the puffiness persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as redness or pain, it's best to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Planaria worm

Planaria worms, also known as flatworms, are a type of invertebrate animal that belong to the phylum Platyhelminthes. They are often found in freshwater environments and have a flat, elongated body that is typically a few millimeters to a few centimeters in length. Planaria worms are known for their remarkable regenerative abilities, and can regenerate their entire body from just a small fragment.

Planaria worms have a simple digestive system and are able to absorb nutrients directly through their skin. They also have a rudimentary nervous system, with a network of nerve cells that allow them to sense their environment and respond to stimuli.

In addition to their regenerative abilities, planaria worms are also important model organisms in biological research. They have been used to study a variety of topics, including genetics, stem cell biology, and neurobiology.

An Endearing Fawn Searches for the Sun in an Enchanting Picture Book Illustrated by KAA

All images © Kaa Illustration, shared with permission

A stunning picture book written by Joanna McInerney and illustrated by KAA follows a small fawn who embarks on a beguiling journey in an effort to chase the sun. Traveling through lush forests, groves of cherry blossom trees, wintry hills, and sunflower fields, readers accompany the young deer on his poetic journey to stop and smell the flowers.

In The Fawn Who Chased the Sun, Ho Chi Minh-based duo Phung Nguyen Quang and Huynh Kim Lien, a.k.a KAA, envision a whimsical world that translates into flourishing illustrations. Transporting readers into an exuberant environment, KAA incorporate various patterns inspired by William Morris along with surreal elements such as oversized flora and towering frogs.

The duo first creates detailed sketches, which Quang scans and hands over to Lien to begin the digital coloring process. Highlighting seasonal shifts through different palettes, they encourage the reader to enjoy the journey through multiple perspectives as the environment changes. “We have tried so many new perspectives and colors that we never used before in this book, and every experiment brought us joy while drawing it,” the illustrators tell Colossal.

You can follow more of KAA’s work on their Instagram, Behance, and website.

 

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Faunwood’s Adorable Menagerie of Miniature Ceramic Critters Is Primed for Adventure

All images courtesy of Antler Gallery, shared with permission

Eugene-based artist Miranda Zimmerman, a.k.a. Faunwood, brings a playful ceramic menagerie to Portland this month for Slither, a nearly sold-out solo show at Antler Gallery. Informed by Faunwood’s background in evolutionary biology, the adorable creatures meld art and science and are miniature renditions of amphibians and mammals, all stylized with the artist’s use of wide eyes and mottled glazes. The hand-sculpted characters are expressive and reflective of the organisms’ real-life anatomy, and their unique dispositions emerge through the firing process. “Every ceramic critter I make comes out of the kiln with its own little personality and sass, sometimes completely different from what I’m expecting,” the artist writes on Instagram.

Slither is on view through April 23, and you can find more from Faunwood on her site. (via Supersonic Art)

 

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Artist Vanessa Filley Stitches Meditative Cosmic Maps Brimming with Geometry and Symmetries

All images © Vanessa Filley, shared with permission

Vanessa Filley describes a recent body of work as “imagined cosmic map(s),” charts that connect the traditions of fiber arts with the present and the artist’s own questions of finding one’s place in the world. Titled In the Delicate Meshes, the series is comprised of sewn pieces that Filley likens to quilts, with stitches layered into symmetric patchworks of color and texture. “I am interested in the energetic threads that orient and connect us, ground us in place and time, yet tether us to our ancestral past and future—the lines that bring us home,” she says.

Filley references artists like Lenore Tawney, Hilma af Klint, and the women of Gees Bend Quilters, whose practices connect to spirituality, nature, and ancestral histories. Taut threads and twists embody tension and connection between both ends of a stitch, the intricate structures of the works as a whole, and the long tradition of fiber arts. “Each piece in this series is a quilted conversation, a way of taking the disparate questions and feeling of a given moment and mingling them with inspiration from the outside world and the work of those who came before,” the artist says.

In the Delicate Meshes was recently on view at Vivid Art Gallery in Winnetka, and you can find more of the series along with an archive of Filley’s works on her site and Instagram.

 

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Artist Vanessa Filley Stitches Meditative Cosmic Maps Brimming with Geometry and Symmetries appeared first on Colossal.

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