This is the tearjerking moment a young boy is adopted for a surprise Christmas present.
Leah Kiphart, from Lancaster, Ohio, saw her family of seven expand into a family of eight, as she presented her nephew, Carter Wyles, with adoption papers on Christmas Day.
Carter, 11, was spending the day with his aunt and cousins, and had already received a number of gifts, including toys, clothes and headphones.
Opening a final box, which contained a picture of Leah’s family, a note asked Carter if he wanted to join them.
The note that Carter Wyles found in one of his Christmas presents asking him to join his Aunts family (Picture: Caters News Agency)
Instantly overcome with emotion, Carter’s voice breaks as he finishes reading the note before being comforted.
Leah said: ‘Carter came to us because he’d been having a less than desired home life with his biological family.
‘This was not planned.
Carter Wyles unwraps his presents which included a family photo and a note asking if he would like to join their family (Picture: Caters News Agency)
‘We discussed with our other children Sunday night and shared with him Monday morning.
The moment was filmed so Carter would always have a special memory of the day.
Leah added: ‘Carter isn’t just the lucky one in all of this.
‘We are blessed to have him as part of our family.
‘He’s a good little boy.
‘We all have a lot of adjusting to do and will continue to keep Carter in prayer as he heals and transitions into our family.’
Christmas is already becoming a distant memory and we’re hurtling towards the bad part of winter.
You know, the bad part.
When it’s endlessly cold and grey and drizzly, with nothing to look forward to. Snow turns to brown mush, dying Christmas trees line the pavement, everyone’s on a health kick. It’s literally the worst.
So now is the perfect time to plan your escape.
Ryanair are massively on the ball this year and have already launched their summer seat sale.
Book something now and the thought of cocktails on the beach will get you through even the bleakest of January mornings.
(Picture: Getty)
The 2019 Early Bird Deal has just launched and it is offering customers £20 off returns flights – but you will have to be quick because the deal is only valid until 3rd January.
There are one million seats to be bought at the cheaper prices, so definitely space for you and all your mates to book a big summer blow out.
All you have to do is decide where you’re heading.
If you’re after some sunshine, you could get to Milan, Verona or Santander for just £12.73.
Getting to Porto or Valencia will cost you just £14.69.
Or try something different and head to Oslo for a tiny £4.88 one-way.
Summer might still be a distant dream, but having a little getaway to look forward to can certainly make this time of year more bearable.
The ‘official’ day for taking down all your Christmas decorations does not come round till well into January, so the festive fun actually lasts longer than you might expect.
Twelfth Night is when the tree has to come down, and here is everything you need to know about it…
(Picture: Getty)
When is Twelfth Night?
There is some debate over the exact date, with some saying it’s 5 January and others 6 January.
This is because some people count Christmas itself as one of the twelve nights, while others think begin the count on Boxing Day.
Either day is acceptable, but according to folklore, if you keep your tree up after the 6 January, it has to stay up all year.
(Picture: Getty)
What does Twelfth Night mean?
Traditionally, Christmas celebrations lasted for twelve days after 25 December.
That’s because, after Jesus was born 6 January marked the day when John the Baptist came to baptise him, and the three kings came with their gifts for the baby. This is known as Epiphany.
If you go further back into habits and customs, some people used to believe that tree-spirits lived in the trees, holly, and ivy in their homes. These spirits would seek shelter there during the cold winter, but if they weren’t released after Christmas there would be problems with agriculture and harvests.
So, if you’re one for superstition, it’s best to do it sooner rather than later.
A bride-to-be claims ‘toxic’ bridesmaid cards being sold on Amazon encourage fat shaming and could ‘trigger’ people struggling with body image issues.
Milly Foot spotted the cards, one of which reads: ‘OMG!! I said yes… Please help me get skinny and be my bridesmaid?’, for sale as she browsed for a card for her teenage cousin.
Milly, 26, is now urging Amazon to get rid of the £4.99 card from independent third-party seller Peachy Antics, so that women aren’t ‘bombarded with toxic messages’ about slimming down for their wedding day.
Peachy Antics said they are a company specialising in banter and they ‘can’t cater to everybody’s vulnerabilities’.
The company’s owner bemoaned the ‘political correctness’ that forbids the singing of ‘baa baa black sheep’ and claimed anyone offended by the card should ‘look the other way’.
Milly, from Bristol, said: ‘I’d already got two bridesmaid cards and was scrolling through Amazon on my mobile phone looking for one for my 16-year-old cousin.
‘As I scrolled down the page the fifth one down stopped me in my tracks.
‘Go back ten years I would probably have just rolled my eyes at the card and moved on, but I just thought ‘is there really a market for this now? Are people that close minded?’
‘I thought the world had moved on but oh my god it’s like going back in time.
(Picture: Kennedy News and Media)
‘There are so many things wrong with the wedding industry which I’m feeling now as a bride-to-be.
‘There’s this huge preoccupation with how you look on your wedding day – that’s almost what the whole thing has become about and it’s got absolutely nothing to do with it.
‘It sets a terrible example for a teenage girl and I hate the idea that she could think that she has to alter the way she looks to be a bridesmaid or a bride.
‘It could trigger someone who isn’t confident and make them think ‘am I supposed to be getting skinny for my wedding day?’
‘I’m not super confident in the way I look, I’m just confident enough in my own relationship and know that [mindset] is toxic.
‘For someone who’s a bit more vulnerable or subject to body dysmorphia, it could be really triggering for them.’
Self-professed ‘offensive’ Peachy Antics is a family-run card and gift company which boasts on its social media pages about being ‘excited to offend more people, make more offensive products and help you offend your friends’.
Other bridesmaids cards in its range include the slogans ‘Will you be my bridesmaid? I promise not to make you look like sh**!’ and ‘Thanks for putting up with all the wedding bullsh**’.
Bride-to-be Milly, who plans to wed 27-year-old photographer fiancé Tom Winn in 2020, said she felt compelled to contact the online retail giant about the card to protect women from its ‘harmful’ message.
(Picture: Kennedy News and Media)
Milly said: ‘My partner was at home when I saw it and he shook his head, he understands how bad it is and shares my views on it.
‘Amazon is a huge company and probably don’t realise the stuff is on there, I just wanted to bring it to their attention and get it removed.
‘If that could be taken down and stop potentially damaging one person then that’s a good thing.’
Senior research fellow in public health and obesity at Leeds Beckett University Dr Stuart Flint said women can be negatively impacted if bombarded by weight loss messages.
Dr Flint, who specialises in weight stigma and discrimination and the psychosocial effects of obesity, said: ‘For women there is a common association between marriage and weight loss or becoming slimmer, where the association is often coupled with a message that by losing weight, a women will look better on her wedding day.
‘Women often receive messages that they should lose weight to ‘look their best’ on their wedding day, which can lead to disordered and dangerous eating patterns.
‘The drive for thinness has associated with body image concerns, disordered eating behaviours, self-harming and in some instances suicidal thoughts.
‘These concerns are especially relevant and impactful for children and young people, where we know that children as young as three years old report body image concerns.’
Co-owner of Peachy Antics Shaun Peach said: ‘We are a company specialising in banter, it’s not meant to offend anyone. It’s for people who take things light-hearted.
‘It’s one of our best-selling cards, you can’t cater to everybody’s vulnerabilities out there.
‘Some people can take offence to some things whereas other people don’t and find it funny.
‘[We’re] not out there to cause anyone any offence, it’s more of a gimmick and a joke.
‘You can’t say certain things in certain nursery rhymes now without offending anyone, how far do you take it?
‘You can’t sing ‘baa baa black sheep’ anymore. What’s the world coming to? It’s so politically correct now, soon we won’t be able to say anything.
‘If you look at it and you don’t like what it is, you can turn the other way.’
Post-Christmas is the perfect time to get your fitness goals back on track.
And those new-year-new-me plans are going to be much easier to achieve with a wardrobe full of shiny, new kit. And now all the best stuff is going cheap.
From clothes and trainers, to kit and equipment, getting all the latest fitness gear can get very pricey, very quickly – so we’ve scoured the sales to find you the best bargains of the season.
No, new trainers aren’t going to turn you into Jessica Ennis-Hill by February, but if you feel amazing you’ll certainly be more motivated to get active. So it can’t hurt.
We are utterly obsessed with these Stella McCartney creations, bringing a touch of high fashion luxe to your gym-wear.
Coupling the pattern of the season – leopard print – with a sleek, black design and a hugely responsive, cushioned sole – the Ultraboost are perfect for your 10K run.
Who says active wear can’t be seasonal and glamorous? This deep blue velvet sports bra allows you to bring a touch of party season with you next time you hit the gym.
Providing light support, it’s perfect for yoga or spinning. Team it with matching velvet leggings. Wear it alone or under a loose vest if you just want to flash a subtle hint of colour.
No home-workout studio is complete without a trusty medicine ball. Use it for squats, lunges, resistance and strength training, this versatile piece of kit is the gift that keeps on giving.
Easy to store, this basic medicine ball is perfect to whip out while you’re watching Eastenders – so you don’t need a full-on home-gym to reap the benefits.
The simple sportswear t-shirt is a basic that we all need in our wardrobes.
You’ve probably already got about four of these shirts that you wear to the gym – but given how sweaty they get, and how often you have to wash them, they wear out ridiculously quickly.
This Nike staple will look great with leggings or shorts, and the soft, silky fabric makes it an uber comfortable choice.
A tiny Igloo-esque ice cave allows up to four people to stay within its walls over the winter period.
The property is made up of two fully-equipped caves, and looks like the average hotel from the outside – however the inside features the appearance of an ice cave.
(Picture: Mercury Press)The ice cave is located in Granada, Spain, and provides an authentic living situation as the host explains that ‘since ancient times, the people of the region have inhabited caves.’
(Picture: Mercury Press)However, in the winter months, the white walls of the cave provide a Christmassy igloo-esque feel to the property.
(Picture: Mercury Press)The property features a spa bathroom, a swimming pool and a BBQ for the summer months.
(Picture: Mercury Press)But of course, if you’re staying in an igloo, you probably don’t want to stay while it’s baking hot.
Grandma Lisa Bishop, from Georgia, U.S., asked her daughter Samantha to take some pictures of her – but she had one condition.
The avid crocheter wanted her bathtub to be filled with wool.
(Picture: Roaming Magnolias Photography)
(Picture: Roaming Magnolias Photography)
(Picture: Roaming Magnolias Photography)
(Picture: Roaming Magnolias Photography)
But that didn’t stop her looking sexy.
Wearing a black bra and keeping her hair in rollers, she posed with a needle and stretched her legs out from the mounds of knitting material, as Werther’s Original toffees rained down on her.
She put the pictures in a photobook as a gift for her husband for Christmas and it seems he loved it.
(Picture: Roaming Magnolias Photography)
(Picture: Roaming Magnolias Photography)
Photographer Samantha said: ‘My mom wanted me to take photos of her, but on one condition.. we did them in a bathtub full of yarn. So here we are. I call this series “Grandma: Gone Wild”
‘She gave them to my Dad for Christmas tonight. Peep his adorable schoolboy reaction at the end. Literally made this whole thing 1000x better.’
Many of us would have gotten our hands on new gadgets over the Christmas period including devices like Fitbits and other smart-bands that can monitor your sleeping patterns.
Part of the feedback the devices give is how much light sleep and deep sleep you are having each night.
The amount of deep sleep you need can depend on various factors and while you can have too little deep sleep, it’s generally considered that there’s no such a thing as too much deep sleep.
Here is everything you need to know about your sleeping pattern and how much deep sleep you should be having.
(Elizabeth Livermore/Moment/Getty)
How much light sleep and deep sleep do you need?
The amount of deep sleep you need can vary and you tend to need less of it the older you get.
A typical adult would usually benefit from have around 1.5 to 2 hours of deep sleep each night if they sleep for between 7.5 and 9 hours.
Deep sleep is particularly important as it’s when your body performs many of its most vital functions.
For example your organs detoxicate, your kidneys filter your blood, wounds heal quicker in this time, and your body builds muscle tissues.
What is deep sleep?
Sleep researchers generally divide sleep up into five stages.
Stages one and two are ‘light sleep’, stages three and four are ‘deep sleep’, while stage five is REM.
Light sleep occurs when you first nod off. It usually involves lots of movement, and is easy to wake from.
When your body is finally comfortable you will fall into deep sleep. Your brain switches off and your body does a bit of maintenance.
This includes secreting a growth hormone to repair damaged cells, cleaning your blood with your kidneys, and strengthening your immune system.
How to get a better night's sleep
Stick to a routine
Try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up around the same hour. Obviously you’ll want a bit of a lie-in on the weekends, but try not to sleep until 11 if you usually wake up at six – it messes with your body clock.
Control your naps
You shouldn’t be napping for more than 15-20 minutes. Any longer than this and you will find it hard to sleep that night.
Also, napping after dinner (hey, food makes us all drowsy) is a no-no. Fight through the feeling and get a good night’s sleep a few hours later.
Light can make (or break) a good sleep cycle
Exposure to light wakes you up, so make sure you have your breakfast by a window or outside.
Similarly, don’t lie in bed at night staring at your phone or computer screen. Try to avoid technology for an hour before you go to bed – this will allow your brain to switch off and make it easier to fall sleep.
No caffeine before bed
This one should be a no-brainer, but for some people it can be hard.
Avoid stimulants like caffeine in the later stages of the day.
Alcohol, while often considered the perfect night cap, also messes with your sleep cycle, so try not to drink before bedtime.
Exercise
Having trouble switching your mind off? Try your body instead.
Exercising will not only tire you out, but will also increase the amount of time you spend in deep sleep.
You don’t have to run a marathon each day – just a short jog or even a walk will help.
Just make sure you exercise at least three hours before bedtime – working out and then trying to sleep is extremely hard because your body is still pumped full of adrenaline and endorphins.
A puppy that was dumped in a Sports Direct bag last Christmas and left to die has undergone an incredible transformation.
Little Eleven was bald, starving and covered in scabs when she was found in the woods, and vets didn’t think she’d survive.
However, she’s battled back to health and has just enjoyed Christmas with her new owners in her forever home.
Photos show Eleven’s transformation, from just 10 weeks old, without fur, and now, a year later, with a shiny new coat.
Eleven when she was found (Picture North News / NNP)
Eleven was found near Lowfields Avenue, Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees by walkers on 28 December 2017 when temperatures had plummeted to -2C.
The abandoned pup was taken to the Jacqui Paterson’s Veterinary Clinic in Stockton where she was given her name after the character from the Netflix series Stranger Things, who was also found in woodland.
Staff bathed her, treated her with antibiotics and ensured her parasites were eradicated. Days later, she was fostered by a couple who found her struggling to survive.
Eleven now (Picture North News / NNP)
RSPCA Inspector Kristina Raine, who launched an investigation into Eleven’s abandonment, said: ‘These wonderful people found her and rushed her to a veterinary clinic in Stockton.
‘It was absolutely freezing and, being so young and vulnerable, it’s amazing Eleven had survived as long as she had.
‘She was in such a state – she was freezing cold, starving hungry and had lost almost all of her fur from a nasty case of demodectic mange.
‘She’d been dumped in a bag for life that had clearly been used to store Christmas decorations and she was covered in glitter, the remnants of the decorations which must have been hung on a tree and adorning a mantel piece somewhere.
(Picture North News / NNP)
‘I was lost for words that someone could, just days after Christmas, dump a tiny, vulnerable puppy in the freezing weather.
‘She’d been left to die. It’s utterly heartbreaking.’
But 12 months on, Eleven has found her a loving home with her adoring owners, Antony and Karl Simmons Sergent, from Redcar.
This year, the tiny crossbreed has experienced a very different Christmas.
Antony said: ‘I dread to think what Christmas was like for Eleven last year just days before she was discovered dumped in the woods.
‘This year, our Christmas is extra special as we get to share it with Eleven.
‘She’s going to get very spoiled with treats and presents.’
A brave mum who was told she’d never grow boobs due to severe chest burns has bared all for the first time.
When 28-year-old Sacha Pugsley was nine years old she became a ‘human fireball’ after a petrol container exploded outside of her home.
She spent three months in a coma and two years in hospital and has had over 60 surgeries to rebuild her burnt body.
The burns, which left Sacha with damaged breast tissue, affected a large section of her skin.
But now, for the first time ever, Sacha is baring all and has been photographed topless to showcase her burns.
(Picture: Caters News)
Sacha, who volunteers at her local homeless centre, said: ‘At the age of 16 I was told I wouldn’t grow any boobs like all the other girls around me because I was burnt so badly on my chest.
‘It was difficult growing up as I felt so isolated and self conscious of the burns I’d suffered as a child.
‘There was a field near where I lived and I was going out to play – I was literally in the wrong place at the wrong time.
‘Some kids were messing around with lighter fluid and a petrol canister exploded on me.
‘I had to have my armpits rebuilt as the heat caused my skin melt so my arms and sides bonded together.
(Picture: Caters News)
‘My hands burnt to the bone as well – I woke up during one my surgeries and saw it all, it was horrible.’
After being told Sacha would be unable to grow breast naturally, she has had three stints of liposuction to remove the fat from her back into her chest to give the appearance of boobs.
But at 20 years old she decided she no longer wanted any further surgery and over the years has grown to love her scars.
Sacha, a mother-of-one, said: ‘At around the age of 23 I finally started to feel more confident – I’ve always tried to help other people with my story and my scars, but never properly shown them until now.
‘My scars of evidence of my struggle and I wear them with pride, rather than being ashamed.
‘I’d been through so much trauma that I decided to put an end to surgery.
(Picture: Caters News)
‘When I had my little boy, Lucien-Cruz, who’s five now, my perceptions of life totally changed.
‘Having a baby changed my life for the better and I moved to a nicer area to give my child a different perspective on life.
‘He’s such a happy little character and has a heart of gold – I really want to make a good example to him.
‘I shared my photos on my Instagram page and the response has been amazing – I’ve had some many nice, supportive comments.’
Sacha first bared all for an online project called Behind The Scars, led by photographer Sophie Mayanne, who started it in April 2017.
Sophie said: ‘The campaign was created to celebrate scars of all shapes and sizes and the incredible stories behind them.
‘I’ve photographed more than 300 scar portraits and stories in the hope of encouraging many men, women and children all over the world to embrace the skin they’re in.
‘It started off as a small exploration of scars but now it’s developed into an empowering, body positive project.’
Sophie has set up a fundraising page where she’s looking to raise £5000 so she’s able to continue with the project.
Fondly known as Twixmas, it is a week of festive limbo, in which no one knows what day of the week it is, you barely leave your front room, you replace all milk with Baileys and eat turkey at every meal.
It’s no wonder this week can leave us feeling a bit worse for wear.
The Christmas comedown is hitting us hard. The tinsel is looking more tragic than magical, the tree is starting to turn brown, and will your grandparents ever actually go home? Or do they just live here now?
There are only so many Indiana Jones reruns you can watch on ITV 2 before you start losing your mind.
But these days are precious. Yes, the main attraction is done and dusted for another year, but these in-between days provide rare, unscheduled time for you to reset and re-energise before the New Year hits you in the face like a sledge hammer.
If you use the days well, this seasonal no man’s land can become the best time of the year. All the festive fun without any of the pressure of a looming Christmas Day.
Here are our top tips for making the most of these strange, aimless days.
(Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
Get out of the house
You have probably been holed up in your mum’s house or your grandparents’ house for a few days now. You’ve carved a nice personal butt-dent in the sofa. You’ve been wearing the same pyjamas for four days straight.
Cabin fever is real. Particularly at Christmas. It’s all too easy to lose track of time, and even days, when you don’t see any sunlight.
Getting out of the house to walk the dog, pick up some groceries, or simply to get some fresh air, can do wonders for your mindset. A blast of oxygen, some brisk movement and a change of scenery can really energise you and improve your mood.
Try to schedule at least an hour out of the house every day during this week – it will give you a welcome break from any family tensions, and will help you appreciate some downtime in front of the TV later on.
Don’t work too hard
Lots of us are back in work during this period, but it doesn’t have to completely suck. If you’re back in the office, make sure you make the most of this relatively quiet period.
Depending on what you do, this time between Christmas and New Year will probably be quieter than normal, so relish the fact that you won’t have to push yourself too hard.
Try your best to leave on time – just because you’re working, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the festive fun. See what plans you and your friends can fit in around your office hours.
If you have pals at work, organise some fun things – like a belated Christmas lunch, or fancy cocktails – to keep the party spirit going.
Make plans (but not too many)
If you’re not working, these days can be a perfect time to catch up with friends you don’t normally get to see.
There’s even scope for spontaneous meetings – ‘Free for lunch today?’ I sure am. This level of carefree last-minute plan-making is a luxury we are rarely afforded during the rest of the year.
Christmas can be a lonely time of year for many, so you never know who will really appreciate that invitation to a lunch date.
See your friends, do dinners, brunches, drinks – but don’t overdo it. It’s all too easy to say yes to every invitation and, before you know it, you don’t have a minute to yourself.
Over-planning leads to burn out, exhaustion and resentment – which is not the energy you want to be bringing in to 2019. Be kind to yourself and be honest about how much socialising you want to do. You don’t have to do it all.
Do some exercise
This is absolutely not a guilt thing. It doesn’t matter how many servings you had on Christmas Day, or how many boxes of Roses you’ve polished off since then – exercising at Christmas needn’t be about food or repentance.
You should exercise because it’s going to make you feel great. Endorphins flowing, blood pumping, all that good stuff that makes you feel like a superhero.
Your body will suffer from a total lack of movement. If you spend days slumped on the sofa you might find yourself struggling to sleep and feeling sluggish throughout the day.
Exercising will help get your rhythms back on track, so you’ll wake up feeling pumped and feel tired in the evenings before bed, rather than needing a nap every afternoon.
Also, if you have major fitness goals for the new year, why not get a jump on the January keenos and get a few sessions in before the New Year’s resolution hoards descend.
(Picture: Ella Byworth/Metro.co.uk)
Do something good
It can be hard to feel productive during this period, but there are plenty of ways you can be proactive with your time and do something good.
Volunteering at a shelter, charity shop or fundraising event is a great way to use this time to make a difference. You can even bring the family along to make your quality time more worthwhile than arguing over the remote control.
Midwinter is a time when the most vulnerable people need our help. A couple of hours out of your day can make a huge difference, particularly at this time of year when people are hungry, cold and alone.
It’s important to remember that these charities need volunteers all year round, not just at Christmas. Finishing the year with a selfless act can set your intentions for 2019. Maybe you can find a way to build regular volunteering into your monthly schedule.
Don’t feel guilty
The moment Christmas is over, you start to feel those nagging worries poking around at the edge of your consciousness.
All the stuff you were putting off until after the break suddenly comes rushing back with a vengeance and you can quickly start to feel overwhelmed.
No, I never did my tax return like I said I would. I still haven’t planned that project for my boss. There are 700 emails sitting in my inbox, staring at me.
It can be tempting to dive straight back in, try and tackle everything at once in a mad frenzy. But, unsurprisingly, that’s not a great tactic and can leave you feeling stressed and paralysed by the sheer length of your to-do list.
It’s OK to put things off. If you want to spend these three days hidden in your bed watching movies, then that’s what you should do – and you shouldn’t feel bad about it.
We spend 99% of the year frazzled, worried and teetering on the brink of burnout. We are all juggling too much, all the time.
If you need these limbo days to consist of absolutely nothing – then that’s fine. We never get to do nothing, and sometimes it’ exactly what our bodies need.
A dog that spent eight years in a kennel has finally found a home, and has just had her first Christmas with her new owners.
Roxy the Staffie is a highly intelligent dog, but spent almost a decade in an animal shelter.
Staff at Teckels in Whitminster, Gloucestershire, would bring specialist games to keep Roxy entertained and were amazed at who quickly she could figure them out.
And now, Roxy has finally found her forever home and got to celebrate Christmas with family for the first time after being adopted by dog groomer Leanne Wenban.
(Picture: Leanne Wenban /SWNS.COM)
Leanne said: ‘We saw her on the Teckels website and we saw that she had been at the kennels for a long time.
‘We thought that we would see how it goes and it took around six months to get to where we are now.
‘At first she ignored us but we went up to see her every Thursday and Sunday.
‘At first we would sit in the cage with her and then eventually we were able to walk and cuddle her.
‘It does not usually take a dog that long to get used to someone but she needed extra time.’
(Picture: Leanne Wenban /SWNS.COM)
Roxy now has her own bedroom complete with toys and treats, but she is still settling into the new home.
After spending so long in the animal sanctuary, Roxy is still anxious and is not used to the peace and quiet.
Leanne continued: ‘At first Roxy came to our house on visits. She is so good and she sleeps a lot.
‘She loves to be tucked up into her blanket.
‘She also has her own bedroom which is like a small child’s bed.
(Picture: Leanne Wenban /SWNS.COM)
‘Before she was so used to all the noise from the kennels which was fine and what she is or was used to but now I think that she is catching up on the peace and quiet.’
Leanne is a dog groomer and says that she loves all dogs and her partner Sam Green is what she describes as a ‘bull breed fanatic’.
Leanne said: ‘We have bought her lots of games – board games for dogs and a snuffle mat. She is very clever.
(Picture: Leanne Wenban /SWNS.COM)
‘She works them out in minutes and we have to mix the games up each day as she remembers and figures out where the treats are.
‘Teckels have been really good and have worked around us. They have made sure that there is always someone from there to be on hand to help Roxy visit.
‘After a while, they did not have to supervise us being with her when we were making our visits. We were able to just sign in and go to see her.”
‘She is now starting to say hello to other dogs and is still a little nervous as it is like she sees it as her territory.’
A Happy New Year sign, made out of silver balloons on a grey wall in a home in Oslo, Norway on a winter night.
Christmas is over which means that new year is right around the corner and it is time to swap up those festive greetings that you have been dishing out.
The few days between the two parties can be confusing – do you still say ‘Merry Christmas’ or do you dive into ‘Happy New Year’ as soon as the leftover turkey has been gobbled up?
You will certainly be moving onto ‘Happy New Year’ by the time 31 December comes around, and if you are celebrating with friends from different countries, you will want to accommodate them with your season wishes.
We haven’t quite covered the whole globe, but here is how to say ‘Happy New Year’ in 18 different languages.
The family pet celebrates New Year’s Eve with us
How to say Happy New Year in 18 different languages
French – Bonne Année
Spanish – ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!
Welsh – Blwyddyn Newydd Dda
Italian – Buon anno
German – Frohes Neues Jahr
Dutch – Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
Icelandic – Gleðilegt nýtt ár
Japanese (although this one is customary after midnight) – あけましておめでとう (Akemashite omedetou)
It’s not even just other languages you can use to vary your New Year greeting. The Scots might say ‘lang may yer lum reek’, which is loosely translates as ‘may you always have fuel for your fire’.
Or, you could always go for the classic Happy New Year and offer up a glass of bubbly.
We love Christmas leftovers. Mishmash plates of whatever we can find in the fridge, topped off with a wedge of Stilton and 13 pickled onions.
Turkey stew, bubble and squeak, stuffing warmed up in the microwave – it doesn’t get better than that.
We want to be eating Christmas sandwiches for days. But just how many days is it safe to keep wolfing down those leftovers?
When should you call it a day and finally chuck out the endless Tupperware and clingfilm-covered bowls that are teetering in the fridge?
(Picture: Getty)
Food experts have issued a warning that people need to be careful with leftovers this Christmas – particularly when food has been left out of the fridge.
Talking to The Conversation, Dr Duane Mellor, Dr Claire Munialo and Lisa Winnall, lecturers in food, nutrition and safety at Coventry University, explain just how long it’s safe to keep eating all your favourite festive food.
Turkey
The UK Food Standards Agency says cooked turkey should be eaten or frozen within two days of cooking.
You need to be extra careful if you plan on warming your turkey up.
Make sure you never reheat the meat more than once – this can provide the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and produce toxins.
Although heating the meat above 75°C for a second or third time will kill the bacteria, it won’t destroy the toxins.
Cheese
The good news for cheese-lovers is that it will likely keep over the holiday – as long as you keep it wrapped up.
The problem with having exposed cheese left out on a table is that it can quickly start growing mould. But even if this happens, all is not lost.
food safety experts suggest that it’s OK to cut off any mould that has grown on hard cheese.
But soft cheeses, should be discarded if they are mouldy. And they need strict temperature control, so just serve what you think you’ll eat and keep the rest in the fridge.
Smoked salmon
This one really needs to stay in the fridge – and the smell will soon tell you if you’ve forgotten.
Experts suggest that smoked salmon should be used within three days of opening, unless the use by date is sooner.
To stop it from drying out, you should keep it in its original package and then wrap cling film around it or put it in a self-sealing plastic bag.
Pigs in blankets
Once the pigs in blankets have cooled down, any leftovers should be wrapped in foil or clingfilm and kept in the fridge.
This stops them from being contaminated by other food, and is a good food safety rule to apply to any cooked leftovers.
Experts say they should be eaten within three days, so pile them on your plate.
(Picture: Getty)
Stuffing
If your stuffing is veggie, and is made with predominantly bread, spices and vegetables, then you can keep eating it for four days – as long as it’s kept in the fridge or somewhere cool.
But if your stuffing includes sausage meat, it should be eaten within three days.
The experts also say that if you make your stuffing in the traditional way, you might want to reconsider.
Putting stuffing inside the cavity of your roast bird is not recommended as it can make it difficult to get the meat up to a high enough temperature to kill off all the bacteria.
Wine and mulled wine
Surely you can keep drinking wine forever? Apparently not.
Well, technically you can, but it probably won’t taste great.
Leaving wine open is less of a safety issue as alcohol is a preservative. It is more about quality and flavour.
An open bottle will allow the oxygen in the air to react with chemicals in the wine, including polyphenols, leading to a loss of colour and fruity flavours.
Sparkling wines lose their fizz after a day or two, but fortified wines, like port and sherry, are drinkable for up to four weeks after opening, if stored in a cool place.
Ever woken up from a blissful night’s sleep to be told by your partner that you were actually writhing around, kicking their shins, and shoving them out of the bed?
If the answer is yes, you might have a rare condition called REM sleep behaviour disorder.
Essentially, this condition describes someone who experiences violent or aggressive behaviours during sleep, such as kicking, hitting, yelling, or shoving. It’s estimated that between 1.7% and 2% of the population may experience this.
It’s thought that it may happen when people are in the REM (rapid eye movement) stage of sleep, and that people with the condition are physically acting out their dreams.
New research which analysed data from 30,000 people looked at why certain people have the disorder, and found some potential risk factors.
Researchers at McGill University found that those with REM sleep behaviour disorder are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or mental illness such as depression and anxiety.
Disturbances in sleep may also be a result of medications.
The likelihood of getting aggressive when asleep increased following drug use and heavy alcohol intake.
Middle-aged and older adults are more likely than younger people to experience REM sleep behaviour disorder, and it appears to be more common in men than women (although researchers note that women’s REM sleep behaviour disorders may be going unreported).
Previous research suggests that REM sleep behaviour disorder can be an early sign of neurological conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s, but what’s not clear is why there would be a connection.
If you’re experiencing aggressive or violent behaviour in your sleep, it’s worth talking to your GP and getting a referral for a sleep clinic.
While an occasional shove out of bed might seem like a minor annoyance, REM sleep behaviour disorder could pose a danger to yourself and whoever you sleep with. It could also be a symptom of another undiagnosed condition.
Chat to a doctor to work through why you’re having sleep troubles – and how to make sure your room is free of sharp corners in the meantime so you no one gets hurt mid-dream.
We all know the disappointment of receiving a gift we don’t particularly want.
But most of us won’t actually say anything. We’ll smile, we’ll thank the gift-giver, and we’ll hope for something better next time.
One bride chose a different option: Ranting on social media.
In a post shared on Reddit, an unnamed woman threatened to un-invite guests to her wedding day after they didn’t give her cash as an engagement gift.
The woman said that she had been clear in asking for cash rather than gifts at her engagement party, and was pretty irritated when people turned up with ‘small gifts that serve no purpose’.
So irritated, in fact, that she messaged guests to ask why she hadn’t been given the cash she’d asked for.
‘I specified on the invitation that we were requesting cash only in lieu of gifts,’ wrote the bride-to-be. ‘We have a mountain of debt and would like to start our marriage with a fresh slate and figured this would be a great opportunity to do so.
‘Well the party was last night and not one person brought us cash.
‘They all brought small gifts that serve no purpose to us and it was hard for me to mask my irritation.
‘We invited upwards of thirty people, most of which showed up and all we got out of it were some household items that we already have.’
The bride said she ended up going to bed at 9pm because she was ‘over it’.
The next day, she sent a message to her pals.
(Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
‘I sent out a mass text basically asking guests I was close with where the miscommunication happened in our gift requests,’ she continued.
‘I didn’t get many responses, but the responses I did get were pretty rude – which was shocking to me.
‘I have been dreaming of my wedding my entire life and you would think friends and loved ones would want to help in making it perfect.
‘I am thinking of dis-inviting those that responded rudely to me, but also I could give them another chance.
‘We will be requesting cash as well and I have already sent out an email reiterating that cash is expected and not gifts and any gifts will be returned for cash or sold on ebay.’
Over on Reddit, the reaction wasn’t particularly positive. The bride who posted her rant in the wedding planning subreddit deleted her account and wrote that she was ‘hurt, bewildered, angry, and irritated’.
‘I have a feeling she will not have a lot of friends after her wedding,’ wrote one Redditor.
Another suggested: ‘You could also just, you know, not pay for a whole damn wedding and pay off your debt?’
Good point.
Some said that the bride isn’t unreasonable for asking for cash instead of gifts – but her reaction to receiving gifts wasn’t okay.
One Redditor wrote: ‘I know a couple who recently got married and asked for cash instead of gifts, explaining in their invitation that they already have a house together and the things they need, and that any money they received would go toward paying off their mortgage so they could start their married life right.
‘I thought it was tastefully done, actually, and was honest. After the wedding, they sent out shout-outs to those who had gotten them gifts, thanking them, and they posted a picture of the house and the payment they were making using the money from their guests.
‘They seemed genuinely pleased with whatever they got.
‘Then again, they also had a super cheap wedding, and all the decorations and food were homemade, so they weren’t just trying to get the guests to pay for an outrageous wedding.
‘Point is, I think it’s fair to say that asking for money instead of gifts can be done in a non-tacky way, as long as you take what is given to you with grace.’
Josh volunteers with the Village Angels on Friday and Saturday nights. (Picture: Soho Angels)
Every Friday and Saturday night, deep into the small hours, small teams of pink clad volunteers patrol our iconic LGBT+ spaces.
Spaces that were once red light districts or dens of supposed vice are now tourist spots and trendy watering holes. However, what makes them special is the safety they provide to my community.
As a cisgender gay man, I feel pretty comfortable in most places in Manchester and London. However, that’s not the same for all LGBT+ people.
Areas like Canal Street and Soho are still so important to LGBT+ people precisely because they are safe spaces. They allow everyone to express themselves in the way they wish.
LGBT Foundation’s Village Angels and our newest cousins the Soho Angels – a collaboration between LGBT Foundation, Westminster City Council and Smirnoff – are an important part of providing that safe space. Put simply we help people who are vulnerable.
Whether that vulnerability is due to the amount of alcohol they’ve consumed, the drugs they’ve taken or their physical or mental health, we help everyone we can.
Contrary to some views, the service isn’t just for LGBT+ people, we don’t check ‘gay cards’ before offering help, anyone using an LGBT+ space is welcome.
Our volunteers deal with such a wide range of situations – it’s difficult to provide an exhaustive list, but I’ll try and recant a few from my experience.
At the beginning of a shift, our Angels provide a friendly face and perhaps a recommendation on where to head next. We walk people to taxis in an unfamiliar city or we charge their phones so they can find their friends.
However, with massive cuts to policing budgets and our hugely overstretched ambulance services we increasingly go to incidents we never would have imagined in the past.
‘Only a few years ago we carried a small first aid kit, a note pad and some condoms to hand out’ (Picture: Soho Angels)
Over the last year with Angels I have been in teams which have been the first on scene for a violent stabbing, a suspected heart attack and more attempted suicides than I care to mention.
Our volunteers are exemplary and thanks to many donations of equipment and training we are able to provide effective care until emergency services arrive.
Only a few years ago we carried a small first aid kit, a note pad and some condoms to hand out. Today our teams carry defibrillators, trauma kits and are trained in suicide intervention among other things.
While it’s brilliant how the service and the skills of our volunteers have grown, it’s a damming indictment of the resources being provided to our emergency services.
The most difficult situations I have attended involve people suffering from poor mental health and in some cases people intending to end their life. On one night in September, four different people all with thoughts of suicide and self-harm were either brought to the Angels by friends or were found by Angels teams.
Each of them had their unique stories but the thread that ran through those stories was that they felt they had no one to speak to.
We, and a member of local door staff, had to physically prevent one service user from hurting himself. We then kept him safe until the police and ambulance service arrived.
Unfortunately, this isn’t an unusual situation for the Angels to be in but that doesn’t diminish the impact it has on our volunteers. Each time we hear a call like that on the radio the stomach drops, heart beats a little faster and sleep is that little more elusive at the end of a shift.
In a world where activism takes place on Twitter, or our LGBT+ community comes together only at Pride or after a tragedy, I am proud that there are groups of people giving up their Friday and Saturday nights to make a genuine impact on our communities.
We welcome people to our LGBT+ spaces, we keep them safe in a turbulent and changing world, and ultimately, we save lives.
Soho Angels will be rolling out the scheme Fridays and Saturdays from 1 February 2019 onwards.
![MERCURY PRESS. 27/12/18. Pictured: The inside of the home has walls that make it look like an igloo. THIS tiny Igloo-esque Ice Cave allows up to four people to stay within its walls over the Winter period. The property, which is made up of two fully-equipped caves, appears to look like an average hotel from its exterior, but inside adopts the appearance of an ice cave. Situated in Granada, Spain, the cave provides an authentic living situation as the host explains that since ancient times, the people of the region have inhabit[ed] caves. SEE MERCURY COPY](http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/SEI_45530552-3f2e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&strip=all)
![MERCURY PRESS. 27/12/18. Pictured: The entrance to the igloo-like home. THIS tiny Igloo-esque Ice Cave allows up to four people to stay within its walls over the Winter period. The property, which is made up of two fully-equipped caves, appears to look like an average hotel from its exterior, but inside adopts the appearance of an ice cave. Situated in Granada, Spain, the cave provides an authentic living situation as the host explains that since ancient times, the people of the region have inhabit[ed] caves. SEE MERCURY COPY](http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/SEI_45530587-e2f9.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&strip=all)
![MERCURY PRESS. 27/12/18. Pictured: Inside the living area of the igloo like home. THIS tiny Igloo-esque Ice Cave allows up to four people to stay within its walls over the Winter period. The property, which is made up of two fully-equipped caves, appears to look like an average hotel from its exterior, but inside adopts the appearance of an ice cave. Situated in Granada, Spain, the cave provides an authentic living situation as the host explains that since ancient times, the people of the region have inhabit[ed] caves. SEE MERCURY COPY](http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/SEI_45530555-d976.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&strip=all)
![MERCURY PRESS. 27/12/18. Pictured: The cosy bedroom inside the igloo-like home. THIS tiny Igloo-esque Ice Cave allows up to four people to stay within its walls over the Winter period. The property, which is made up of two fully-equipped caves, appears to look like an average hotel from its exterior, but inside adopts the appearance of an ice cave. Situated in Granada, Spain, the cave provides an authentic living situation as the host explains that since ancient times, the people of the region have inhabit[ed] caves. SEE MERCURY COPY](http://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/SEI_45530611-5eb9.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&strip=all)
