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What to do when someone gives you a gift you don’t really want

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:39 GMT

By Taylor Nicioli | CNNWhen Abby Eckel saw the small jewelry gift bag her husband gave her for her birthday, she thought she knew exactly what was inside — a ring with a morganite gemstone that she had requested. But when Eckel opened the package and saw a necklace instead, she couldn’t hide her disappointment.“It was like this inner turmoil and conversation I was having with myself of like, do I say something? Or should I just be happy with what I received?” Eckel recalled.Eckel knew she wouldn’t wear the necklace since she has specific preferences about her jewelry. But now her husband had given her something she didn’t love, and she felt guilty for being disappointed.For many people, this disappointment — followed by guilt — is natural after receiving a gift that just doesn’t feel like you. It could be that annual sweater from your parents that isn’t in your size, a T-shirt with a band logo on it that you loved as a teen (but not anymore), or a piece of silver jewelry when you on...

Not so fast: You could toss your poinsettias, or help them ‘bloom’ again next year

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:39 GMT

I tend to view holiday decorations strictly as anticipatory objects. They’re lovely leading up to the big day, but as soon as midnight strikes, I’m ready to drag the Jack-O-Lantern or Christmas tree to the curb. Not so with poinsettias, however. The red and white “flowering” beauties can be kept year-round. And with the proper care and attention, they’ll “rebloom” just in time for next year’s festivities. (I’ve used quotes around “flowering” and “rebloom” because, technically, poinsettias do neither. Those red or white “petals” aren’t what they seem. They’re actually bracts, which are colorful modified leaves. But let’s call them “flowers” here for simplicity’s sake).Growing poinsettias as houseplants is pretty simple: Provide water, sunlight and occasional fertilizer, and they’ll be happy. Getting poinsettias to bloom again next December? is another story altogether. But if you’re up for a fun challenge, here’s how:1. After the holidays, set plants in a sunny spot, watering as need...

Si ganas el Powerball, ¿cuánto pagas en impuestos y cuánto te llevas?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:39 GMT

(CNN Español) — El premio gordo del Powerball está creciendo. Pero no te ilusiones tan rápido: si lograras acertar todos los números, el premio que recibirías es mucho, mucho menor.El cálculo de impuestos no es sencillo y, en última instancia, depende de tus circunstancias particulares. El Servicio Interno de Impuestos (IRS, por sus siglas en inglés) considera las ganancias de la lotería como un ingreso y el saldo a aportar a las arcas federales depende de cuáles son tus ingresos anuales totales.Sin embargo, hay algunas cifras que ayudan a hacerse una idea. Si ganas el pozo mayor (las probabilidades de hacerlo son de 1 en 292,2 millones), el premio estará sujeto al porcentaje más alto de impuestos federales que es de un 37%.¿Puedo jugar Powerball si soy extranjero?Además, dependiendo de dónde vivas, tienes que tener en cuenta los posibles impuestos estatales. Nueva York es el estado que impone una tasa más alta a los premios mayores a US$ 5.000: es del 8,82%. Entre los estados...

Missouri’s Cody Schrader goes from D-II star to folk hero in leading Tigers to the Cotton Bowl

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:39 GMT

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — There were very few people willing to wager that Missouri would be playing in a New Year’s Six bowl game this season.Still fewer probably bet that Cody Schrader would someday be an All-American running back.He received precisely zero Division I scholarship offers coming out of Lutheran South High School in St. Louis, and wound up at Truman State. The Division II school about a three-hour drive from home is known just as much for its accounting school and renowned women’s swimming and diving program as it is for the Bulldogs football team.Schrader never stopped believing in his ability, though. After leading Division II with 2,074 yards rushing two years ago, he bet on himself by entering the transfer portal, and ultimately agreeing to an invitation to walk on at Missouri.Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz never met Schrader until he stepped on campus.Two years later, Schrader not only has taken over the starting job but etched his name in Missouri lore. He r...

One-pan lemony chicken traybake is the antidote to post-holiday craziness

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:39 GMT

With labor-intensive holiday meals out of the way, this week calls for ease — without sacrificing flavor. Which is why traybakes are the perfect antidote.Only 15 minutes of active work and just one pan to clean are all you need to transform simple chicken and potatoes into a satisfying dinner — sauce and all.In this recipe from our book “Cook What You Have,” which draws on pantry staples to assemble easy, delicious meals, we took a cue from chicken Vesuvio. This Italian-American classic combines the meat and spuds with lots of garlic, lemon and oregano. The dish typically is a saucy stovetop braise, but we’ve turned it into a traybake by roasting everything together in the oven.Seasoned bone-in, skin-on chicken and wedges of any kind of potatoes cook on a baking sheet with 10 cloves of garlic, which soften and sweeten. Heating the oven to 475°F helps the chicken brown, leaving concentrated bits of flavor stuck to the pan. Those tasty bits are combined with lemon juice, the mashed ga...

Man dead following Christmas Eve shooting in Prince George’s Co.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:39 GMT

A man is dead after being shot late Sunday night in District Heights, Maryland.Prince George’s County police said the shooting happened at about 11:20 p.m. in the 2900 block of Ritchie Road in District Heights.The man — whose identity has not been released — was found by police officers suffering from gunshot wounds and rushed to a hospital where he died.The deadly shooting is not believed to be a random crime, according to police.Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Prince George’s County Police Department at 301-749-5064. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Solvers at 866-411-TIPS (8477).A map of the area where the shooting happened is below. Source

Asesor de Netanyahu viaja a Washington DC en medio de llamados globales a un alto al fuego en Gaza

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:39 GMT

Lo que sabemos:Uno de los asesores más importantes del Primer Ministro israelí, Benjamin Netanyahu, tiene previsto reunirse este martes con funcionarios de la Casa Blanca y del Departamento de Estado en Washington. Ron Dermer discutirá la guerra en Gaza, dijo a NBC News una fuente familiarizada con el asunto.Su visita se produce después de que Netanyahu prometiera seguir luchando hasta que Hamas sea destruido, desafiando los llamados globales a un alto el fuego. “No os detengáis”, dijo a los soldados en el norte de Gaza después de un fin de semana sangriento para las tropas, en el que murieron 17 personas.Por otra parte, el gobierno de Irak condenó los ataques estadounidenses contra militantes respaldados por Irán en el país como “una violación inaceptable” de la soberanía del país. Biden ordena ataque contra grupo proiraní luego de que tres soldados de EEUU fueran heridos en Irak “Todos fuimos atacados”: al menos 68 ...

LCSO deputies capture giant alligator outside Florida mall

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:39 GMT

ESTERO, Fla. (WSVN) – A remarkable scene unfolded as Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies captured a colossal 12-foot, 600-pound alligator spotted outside Coconut Point Mall in Estero, Florida. Discovered behind a Five Below store, the hefty reptile raised eyebrows, prompting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to step in and relocate the gator to a safer habitat. Video footage captured the unique operation, involving about eight people, including law enforcement officers, lifting the sizable alligator into the back of a truck. One individual held the reptile’s large tail with the ease of handling a tree limb. The impressive reptile was safely apprehended on Thursday by LCSO authorities. The FWC, considering the alligator a potential threat to people, orchestrated the relocation.Ensuring the safety of both the public and the reptile, the 12-foot alligator was relocated alive to Townsend & Sons farm, approximately 45 miles away in LaBell...

RAIN ROLLERCOASTER RIDE

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:39 GMT

Happy last Tuesday of 2023, South Florida!Hopefully everyone had a wonderful holiday surrounded by loved ones. It sure was cloudy for South Florida but at least the clouds and the stronger breeze limited warming during the day. Eventually a swath of rain in the Gulf of Mexico moved eastward across South Florida (and pretty much across much of the state of Florida) by the afternoon. This kept a steady light rain in the forecast on Christmas afternoon and evening. The rain continued on and off through the night.  Then early this morning, we woke up to moderate rainfall once again. The heaviest of the rain this morning was across the Florida Keys and some of our coastal communities.Today, South Florida can expect some changes in the forecast. After starting off with rain, south Florida should see a break later in the day. The morning rain and clouds will give way to peeks of sunshine this afternoon from time to time.  Winds will veer out of the south, which means temperatures will cont...

Collaboration can unlock the potential of gene therapies in Europe

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:39 GMT