It was supposed to be an awkward but exciting outing: the day I took my daughter to buy her first bra. I fully expected the "Mooooommm" s to flow like a mortified river and eye rolls aplenty. But I figured that after our puberty-themed shopping trip, we could swing by an ice cream shop or something and talk about her journey into womanhood, or talk about anything she wanted to, or not talk at all and avoid eye contact while we ate delicious dairy treats. I figured it could be up to her. I would just be thrilled to grab a chill moment with her, something that's a bit of a rarity nowadays as she flexes her wings a little. Also, chocolate chip cookie dough.

We grabbed a few of the bras on offer and headed toward the changing rooms. I asked if she wanted me to come in with her, fully expecting an emphatic "NO." Instead, she shyly asked if I would mind helping her with the bra and made me promise not to look. I promised, and then did the best bra fitting I could manage with both of my eyes closed in a changing room roughly the size of Harry Potter's pathetic broom-closet bedroom. I don't want to brag, but let's just say that if you ever need help with your bra in a pitch-dark room, I'm kind of an expert at it.

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"Looks great, Kiddo," I chirped, trying so hard not to make this A Thing, pretending we were trying on shoes or picking out a dress instead of her first bra ever where did my baby go? "How does it feel?"

She didn't answer at first, and when I looked at her, it was clear that she was about to cry. She wouldn't look in the mirror and opted to stare at her feet instead. Then it happened: Her shoulders started to shake, and that was that. Nothing to see here, folks: just a mother and daughter in a locker-sized changing room with a pile of tiny bras, sobbing.

I asked her to tell me what was wrong, and I expected the answer to be what it's been more and more lately: "I don't know, I just feel like crying." I'm pretty sure the finer points of navigating puberty left me in tears when I was around her age (9), so for the most part I just keep a supply of hugs and tissue on offer and wait for the storm to pass. But this time, she said something that left me really, truly speechless.

"Mom?" Her voice drops to a whisper. "Do you think I'm, you know? F-A-T?"

Even now, when I'm sitting here typing this, I'm not sure what to say. Do I think my daughter is fat? No. She's still a child, round in some places, knobbed in others, all angles and bones here, starting to curve there.

Sometimes that's what we kneejerk with. "Am I fat?" "God, no!" as though we've been asked, "Do you want to watch Gigli tonight?" As though nothing could be more reprehensible than fatness, and therefore these questions must be met with soothing denial. Or sometimes we say, "No, of course not, you're beautiful!" As if fatness and beauty are mutually exclusive things. But these are not the things I was thinking about when my kid asked me if I thought she was, you know... F-A-T.

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Mostly my heart just twisted for her, because she was so afraid of being fat that she couldn't even say the word out loud. Like Voldemort. The sight of her body was making her cry, and that pain is so familiar to me and to lots of women. I just sort of sat there thinking that I wanted to tell her that I was sorry. I was sorry that it was starting for her already. That maybe it already had and I just didn't notice. I was sorry for what was to come. I was sorry for not protecting her from it better. Because I really have tried.

I don't always feel comfortable in my body, as I imagine most women don't, since we're basically trained to start criticizing ourselves from, well, age 9 I guess. If you're really lucky and can hold off that long.

And you can't win when you do that, because you'll always be too fat or too thin or with bad breasts or a terrible butt or weird knees and wrong everythings. So I try to focus on what I love. I consider myself pretty body-positive. Big bodies, little bodies, brown bodies, white bodies, bodies with varying abilities — bodies are great. Without them we'd just be a sentient organ soup, so isn't it nice that we get these fantastic structures that let us do all kinds of crap?

I've tried to instill that in my kid, who up until this point was that magical sort of unself-conscious that only kids can be, tromping around with milk mustaches and mussed braids and skinned knees and no yardstick yet to measure and then beat themselves with. I've been telling her for as long as I can remember that there's no wrong way to have a body. There is not a correct body and then a series of factory-reject ones. You can't exist wrong. And yes, I tell her that she's beautiful. Objectively, I think that's true. Subjectively, too. I'm her mother, after all.

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But somewhere along the line, more voices were added, and some of them must have been louder than mine, because "There's no wrong way to have a body," got a big F-A-T "unless..." tacked onto the end of it. Is it other kids? Is it media? We don't have cable, but maybe it's all of those comics she reads with brave heroines who have fictional waists and tits that are the kind of perky that only exists in zero gravity. Movies? Ads? Are the different — and also not-wrong — bodies that she sees making her think hers is unacceptable? Is it all of the above? None of it?

I could find out. I could root it out and squash it and get mad and try to punish the person or thing responsible for making my daughter cry, because that's what I always want to do when my daughter cries. Trust me when I say that long after they're tiny, that at least remains. But of course you can't, and it's futile anyway: your kid can't exist in a vacuum. They will grow up with a million voices vying for influence, no matter what you do. For girls, that often brings a self-criticism that sticks to you like tree-sap forever until the day you're picking out the perfect girdle to go under your funeral dress when you shed this mortal coil or whatever.

So I can't. I can't protect her. But damn it, I can yell. Louder and louder, I'll yell that there's no wrong way to have a body. That hers is powerful and useful and capable and beautiful at this size and every other.

If that can't be the only message she hears, I can at least make sure it's the loudest.

SUB: I showed up my contractor's house after he abandoned my home renovation while I was overseas

This is a story about how not to hire a contractor. Especially when you’re 8,000 miles away from the job.

My husband and I were living abroad in the Middle East. Like most expatriates, we wanted to maintain a connection back home. We found a two-bedroom, two-bath townhouse in a quiet, tree-lined suburb. Because we had to go back before closing, our realtor acted as our boots on the ground.

Enter the Contractor from Hell.

He was recommended by the realtor based on work he had done on other properties she sold and managed. We tried to do everything right. We met him to outline the scope of the work: interior painting, popcorn ceiling removal and an overhaul of the leaky screened-in porch. We called his references. We asked him if he was licensed and he produced a legit-looking card. But we didn’t take that critical next step: checking his license with the state.

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After handing him one-third of the $6,000 job, we flew back overseas, satisfied that we had made the right decision. Almost immediately, the contractor emailed us photos of his progress: the ceilings transformed from nicotine-stained popcorn into a textured finish, the walls painted into soothing taupe colors and the buckled artificial turf giving way to terracotta tile on the porch.

About a month later, the emails began slowing down. He requested another third of the money prematurely, saying he had a family “emergency.” We still didn’t hear warning bells. We didn’t even call the realtor. We were too far away to allow ourselves to get upset. Our realtor was honest; the contractor must be, too. Shit happens. We wired him another $2,000.

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By October, the emails stopped altogether. His phone was turned off. The realtor didn’t know where he was, but she seemed unconcerned. We emailed a friend to check on the place.

Subject line: “Uh-oh!”

Body: “Your porch roof is gone.”

The attached photo showed a three-foot-tall leaf pile in one corner (remember, this is Florida) and a swath of sky where the flat roof had been.

What do you do from 8,000 miles away in a place with spotty, expensive communication? Was the contractor in the hospital? In jail? Dead? If we accused him of wrongdoing, knowing he had a key to our place, who knows what he might do to it? Could the police do a “welfare check” of a house? Not sure what to do, I wrote him a polite email asking him what was up.

“I’ve had a family emergency,” he wrote back a week later, apologizing for the “delay.” He promised he’d finish the work “very soon.” Then more silence.

I had only one alternative: get on a plane and make the 14-hour trip to get some answers. Driven by outrage, I made the (probably foolish) decision to show up at his doorstep.

“So, where is my roof?” I asked when he opened the door.

He said that his girlfriend, who had helped him with the project, sold the aluminum roof panels for drug money. I felt my blood pressure skyrocket. I wanted to throttle him and curse him out, but I was a woman alone at his rundown place, so I kept my cool.

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“Well, I figure you’re an honorable guy who just got into some trouble,” I said. “So let’s get this fixed.” 

His reaction, I’m afraid, was the anticlimax to the story. He simply did the work the next day. I rode with him and his (new) girlfriend in silence to the aluminum supplier, paid for the supplies, and then supervised the work in an uncomfortable silence. Overcome by jetlag, I simply wrote him a check for the balance. I wanted the work done, I wanted my house made whole, and then I wanted this scammer out of my life.

It was much later that I learned that not only did this man have an expired contractor’s license, but I could have been prosecuted for using an unlicensed contractor. Ultimately, I had to spend another $3,000 to have the entire project redone by a licensed builder.

The real estate agent claimed she knew nothing about what happened and I didn’t have the energy to challenge her.

I also learned the reason for the contractor’s disappearing act: he spent time in jail for fleeing a police officer, a violation of his probation on prior drug charges. I heard various stories that it was he, rather than his girlfriend, who had sold the aluminum panels for drugs. In the end, it didn’t matter.

My story is unique in that I lived overseas and faced more communication barriers than I would have had I lived in the States. Yet my story is far from isolated. Even with today’s technology, homeowners get scammed by shady contractors all the time and the advice remains the same: check references, verify that your chosen builder has an active state license, and have a trusted friend or relative check on the work’s progress often if you can’t do it yourself.

I moved back to the states and into that townhouse after divorcing, so every day I’m reminded of this man: the slightly uneven lines of his paint job; the specks of popcorn ceiling texture I still find now and then and the sunny afternoons I love spending on the screened porch. It's still my slice of heaven despite the contractor from hell. It could have been worse, but I learned an expensive lesson.

Getting a dog may become one of your child's best memories, but as you probably know by now, not all of the statistics are rosy when it comes to introducing a new family pet. Sadly, up to 70 percent of dog bite victims are children, and 61 percent of these bites take place at home or in another familiar place. As scary as this sounds, many of these accidents can be easily prevented when you don't choose "that doggie in the window" on a whim and instead pick a breed that balances well with your family.

So which dogs fare best in a house full of kids? The American Kennel Club lists the "calm and courageous" bulldog as one of its top picks for children, and we've added 10 more of our family-friendly favorites to the list.

11. Bulldog

The bulldog has a sturdy build that is perfect for kids who like to roughhouse. Only between 12 and 16 inches in height and weighing about 50 pounds, the bulldog is comfortable living in large houses as well as apartments. However, he won't win any awards for most energetic dog. A docile, friendly and loyal dog, he gets along well with dogs and other pets too.

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But their temperament with kids is all but famous. As intimidating as they look, they're friendly and gentle with kids and known for their guarding capabilities and courage.

Next Up: Boxer

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10. Boxer

If the bulldog doesn’t strike your fancy, the boxer is another sturdy dog that can maintain its composure around kids. While boxers were originally bred as medium-size guard dogs, you’ll find them as an extra member of the family in many homes today. Along with its stout size, the boxer is known for its high energy — this playful pup needs lots of exercise and may keep your kids occupied for hours.

True to form, the boxer is described by the American Kennel Club as “fun-loving, bright and active,” making it the 10th most popular dog breed of the AKC. When introducing a boxer to the family for the first time, plenty of supervision is required, though the breed is ultimately considered an ideal family dog.

Next Up: Beagle

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9. Beagle

Originally kept as hunting dogs, beagles fit well in homes with active kids, as they are sturdily built and never too tired to play a game. Friendly, clever and cheerful, if properly socialized with non-canine animals, the beagle usually gets along with other pets too (except for a bit of chasing here and there). They do shed and require frequent brushing and bathing, however.

About 15 inches tall and around 22 pounds, they are great little apartment dogs, but they do need lots of exercise, so plan to take them on a brisk daily walk to make sure they live out their full 12 to 15 years of life. Always keep them on a lead or in the confines of a well-fenced yard, though. They really do follow their noses and may wander off on adventures.

While your beagle most likely won't have a bird named Woodstock as his best friend, you can, by all means, name him (or her) Snoopy.

Next Up: Bull terrier

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8. Bull terrier

The bull terrier can get quite rambunctious and requires plenty of playtime. Therefore, he is a perfect dog for a large family. The bull terrier will return your affection by being very protective of your children for his average decade-long life expectancy.

Often mistaken for the larger pit bull, the bull terrier was bred to be a companion dog — friendly and loving toward grown-ups and kids alike. This well-framed dog also has a high threshold for pain, making him perfect for rambunctious children who are learning how to properly treat dogs.

The bull terrier comes in two sizes, which are standard (about 22 inches and anywhere between 40 and 85 pounds) and miniature (roughly half the size of the standard), so choose your size based on the size of your home. But note that even the little ones need plenty of exercise.

Next Up: Collie

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7. Collie

This is the dog breed Lassie made famous. Collies are a very gentle and predictable breed, rarely biting their human family and easily trainable, perfect for families unfamiliar with dogs.

While this breed is typically mild-mannered (like Clark Kent!), it was originally bred as a herding dog, so he may try to herd your children. This might be amusing at first, but it's probably best to discourage the child-herding (no matter how handy you may think it could be). The collie's long hair means it requires regular grooming to keep his coat in tip-top shape. Collies get along great with children and love to please their owners and protect their family.

At about 25 inches tall and 60 pounds, the collie is a breed you may think inappropriate for apartment living, but as long as they do get exercise, they're pretty docile indoors. For a larger dog, they live a very long life of about 14 to 16 years.

Next Up: Newfoundland

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6. Newfoundland

Nicknamed "nature's babysitter," the Newfoundland dog loves children and is very protective of them. Gentle, kind and patient, this breed is almost like the Mother Teresa of dogs. The Newfoundland is about 27 inches tall and weighs as much as 150 pounds, so he best suits a family with large, open spaces at home.

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And although the breed is known to drool and shed excessively, he is not considered a proper dog for the yard. This breed wants to be inside with his family. Wouldn't you? The Newfoundland is also a great swimmer and has been known to save lives in emergency situations. Both young and old will quickly fall in love with this wonderfully sweet, large dog.

Next Up: Vizsla

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5. Vizsla

This may be a breed you haven't heard of before, but it's actually one of the best dog breeds for kids. The vizsla has a gentle disposition and manner and is loyal, affectionate and quiet, perfect for your little ones to play with.

Additionally, he is obedient, confident and smart, forming close bonds with his family and able to learn new tricks quickly. Best of all, the vizsla has very little "doggy" smell about him.

Only a little shorter than the Newfoundland (around 23 inches) and weighing around 50 pounds, this is a breed you might be tempted to subject to apartment life, but that's not a good idea. They might be too rambunctious indoors and need at least an average-size backyard to play in. Make sure they're happy and healthy, and they can live up to 15 years.

Next Up: Irish setter

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4. Irish setter

Known for its red coat, the Irish setter is playful, energetic, loves being around people and plays well with children. This doggy needs lots of exercise and is a good match for energetic kids.

A smart and trainable companion, the Irish setter is perfect for people with lots of space but isn't what one would call a good apartment dweller. At 26 inches high and about 65 pounds, the breed may seem small enough for a large apartment, but I'd avoid it unless you're an avid daily jogger.

Next Up: Poodle

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3. Poodle

Often given rather curious haircuts by their owners, the poodle is a very smart and gentle dog. They're also great for kids with allergies, as they shed very little; they do, however, require scheduled grooming.

This is a proud and elegant dog that is both caring and loyal. Seldom annoyed or bored, the poodle's friendly demeanor, good nature and patience make him an excellent playing partner for any child.

Generally the larger breeds are best for kids, but if you're vigilant about obedience-training, smaller versions won't develop small-dog syndromes that often make them a danger to kids and adults alike. Sizes vary, but you can choose from among toy, miniature and standard.

Next Up: Labrador retriever

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2. Labrador retriever

This is one of the most popular dog breeds, and for good reason — it is protective, playful, loving, patient and reliable. The Lab's beauty is only matched by his sweet personality and intelligence. What does this mean for you? He's your perfect family pet.

They live between 10 and 12 years, though they're prone to mass cell tumors, which can shorten life expectancy. They're also fairly large dogs — about 23 inches tall and 65 pounds, though some males can get as big as 100 pounds. They're not recommended for small apartments or houses with small yards, but with adequate exercise in a spacious apartment, they can adapt to apartment life.

Next Up: Golden retriever

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1. Golden retriever

At an average of only 22 inches and a typical max weight of only 80 pounds, he's not quite as big as the Lab, but the golden retriever is a kind, smart, confident and loyal dog. Neither aggressive nor timid, the golden retriever is extremely patient, which is perfect for kids. While he does need a lot of exercise, his love of play makes this an easy thing to achieve.

They have the same life expectancy as the Lab, as well as similar health problems (mass cell tumors may limit their 10 to 12 years), and while they aren't considered large, smaller apartments probably aren't a great idea.

More: 28 Things only Golden Retriever owners understand

So now that you know a thing or two about kid-friendly dogs, choosing one for your home and your family should be a little bit simpler. Remember, highly-strung small dogs are usually not the best choice for children, though there are some to choose from if you have a small apartment. Also, keep in mind that mutts from the pound are a fantastic option, as they are often more docile and well-tempered.

Good luck finding the best dog for your family!

For more pet health information, visit PetMD.com; and don't forget to visit PetMD's new Topic Centers.

How do you introduce a dog to your family?

Choosing the breed of dog that best suits your family can be difficult. Here are tips on bringing a dog into a home with kids.

Originally published Jan. 2009. Updated Sept. 2016.

My daughter owns a dress that’s three sizes too big for her right now because a little girl with Down syndrome modeled it online. Naturally I bought it. Oh, and I also snagged the matching dress for a doll we don’t own yet.

Why the knee-jerk reaction to whip out my credit card? My son has Down syndrome, and seeing diversity in advertising fills my heart as much as it empties my wallet.

But while companies that practice diversity in advertising may be driven by sales, the social benefits are life-changing.

My child needs to see himself reflected in the world, and the world needs to see my son and people who share his differences reflected in the barrage of images hitting us daily.

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For better or worse, these images shape our perspective. How many people do you know with Down syndrome? Do you feel uncomfortable when someone in a wheelchair approaches you? What about someone wearing glasses?

Exactly.

We’re so used to seeing people in glasses, we no longer notice their glasses — which means we interact with the person, not the visual difference. Wouldn’t it be amazing to apply this filter to any difference?

The Center for Disease Control reports an estimated one in six, or about 15 percent, of children aged 3 through 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities. Imagine if the millions of images that bombard our kids included one child with a disability for every five without?

My son, Charlie, was born with Down syndrome and will always have Down syndrome. My daughter, Emma, was born 17.5 months later and, as a result, will always know and love someone with Down syndrome. Charlie is 5; Emma is 4.

Does Charlie care if people with Down syndrome are included in movies, television, ad campaigns and billboards? Not right now.

Does Emma care if her classroom doesn’t include a child with Down syndrome? Not right now.

But as they grow and begin to look beyond the next episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or the next My Little Pony commercial, they will begin to notice if the images thrust before them relate to their lives or present an aspirational version of “normal.” But what is normal, anyway? The world doesn’t fit that mold, and it’s time to demand representation.

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But I want more.

In the movie The Break-Up, Jennifer Aniston's character fumes because she has to ask her boyfriend, played by Vince Vaughn, to do any specific chore, like the dishes, before he actually will get up off the couch and help. But it isn't just about doing the dishes. "I want you to want to do the dishes!" she says in exasperation. Does helping count if it's not motivated by a desire to help?

I want companies to understand why diversity in advertising benefits their bottom line but also benefits their culture as a company. I want representation without glorification. I want to see people like my children included meaningfully, not gratuitously.

Changing the Face of Beauty is a nonprofit corporation committed to equal representation of people with disabilities in advertising and media globally. It works with companies to help them understand the financial and social benefits of inclusive imagery while also ensuring experts on inclusion in advertising are represented at all major marketing conferences. But what I love most about this corporation's effort isn't its success in persuading hundreds of major companies to include people with disabilities in their imagery, but rather the marketing and educational curriculum and programming it provides to both high school and college level students. That's where we must start the education that inclusion matters.

The truth is, kids act with much more sincerity than we credit them with having — and when we underestimate their motivations, we force our own bias upon them. When a high school recognizes a girl with Down syndrome as prom queen, media cover the story because most adults cannot fathom such an act being motivated without a thought to charity and the rest of us post the resulting newspaper articles all over each other's Facebook pages. We are silently (or not so silently) proclaiming, "Oh, how cute! Look at how sweet those kids are, to let someone less than the rest of us enjoy a glimpse into what it's like to really be popular!"

But guess what? A girl with Down syndrome can be popular! She can have genuine friends and genuine support.

Inspiration porn exists to make people feel better about themselves but the resulting ableism —discrimination in favor of people with disabilities — does my son no favors. As a mom, there was a time when I really wanted to watch all those videos of kids with Down syndrome being put in the basketball game for the last 30 seconds while everyone cheered. Now I realize it's critical their inclusion happens from the very beginning, whether the team is winning or losing.

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Because the best kind of winning will happen when people with disabilities are included in every aspect of life without fanfare. Inclusion in advertising — much like life — cannot exist to make a company's social responsibility report look better. Inclusion must happen to make our world better.

"Mom? Why do parents get to do all the fun stuff?"

I glanced in the rearview mirror at my daughter.

"What do you mean? What fun stuff?"

"You know, like staying up late, being on the computer whenever they want, having their own phones, making rules..."

I chuckled. "Well, sweetheart, it's because I'm an adult and you're a kid, and kids don't have the same rights as adults. I had to follow the rules when I was a kid, and then I became an adult, and being an adult is awesome. You're dealing with it now because you're a kid, but one day you'll be a grown-up and you'll love it, too."

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She scowled. "It's not fair."

"Nope," I said, "But it's right."

It may not be a popular opinion, but I am of the school that feels very OK with children not having the same rights as their parents for no other reason than that they are children and we are not. I have no problem saying, "Because I said so." I don't feel like I owe my kids an explanation for all my decisions, and, what's more, I don't feel bad about the things I get to do that they don't and have no problem sharing that with them.

Some parents think that childhood is magical and should be treasured. They tell their kids to enjoy this time because it's special. They feel that since they are role models to their kids, they will be careful not to take advantage of anything that their child is not yet allowed. They consider their childhood years to be among the best of their lives and yearn for the freedom from adult responsibilities and pressures that they had back then.

Not me.

As far as I'm concerned, childhood can go eat a bag of dicks. I didn't truly enjoy life until I went to college, and I consider my adulthood to be vastly superior to anything I experienced before the age of 18. That's not because I had an abusive childhood or that my parents didn't love me; that's just because, when weighed against each other, being a kid is way worse than being a grown-up. But one thing my mother always told me while I was growing up was that there was a light at the end of the tunnel, and this light involved a driver's license, a job, and my own apartment.

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After some particularly humiliating and painful experiences when I was a child (I'll take 'Peeing My Pants on the Tire Swing for $200, Alex), my mother used to say, "Childhood is terrible. Learning how to live in this life is awful. But after you grow up it gets so much better." Far from filling me with doom and gloom about what was to come during the next ten years of my life, that message always gave me hope. I wasn't wrong for hating this time in my life — here was my mother, a woman who knew everything, agreeing with me that it was terrible. She made me believe that this pain was temporary and that I had a future to look forward to.

I love the freedoms that come with adulthood. I am psyched beyond measure that I no longer have to go to school. I am thrilled to be done with the trials and tribulations of the teen years. And I am not afraid to tell my kids that.

I'm also not afraid to use the almighty power of adulthood to explain why I get to do certain things that seem hypocritical according to the rules of our house. For example, when they ask me why I get to be on my computer when their computer time is up for the day, I say, "A) Because I'm working. B) Because I'm a grown-up and you're not. I earned the right to a little Candy Crush — I mean, article on homing pigeons."

But this isn't about throwing my advantages in their faces or about being a bad role model. Childhood is difficult, and my kids are going to spend more time as adults than as children: I want them to look forward to it. So when my daughter says she hates school, I say, "I know. It's the worst. But you've got to do it." When she says she wishes math was never created, I say, "I'm with you. And it only gets more useless as you get older. Just wait for algebra!" And when she says she's jealous of the things I get to do that she doesn't I say, "I know, right? Just hang in there for another ten years, and then you'll get your taste of the good life."

I have chosen to respond to the miseries my children experience while growing up with empathy and perspective. I commiserate with them rather than insisting that their feelings are wrong and telling them they should be happy. But I also remind them that nothing lasts forever. I tell them that childhood is like boot camp — it's a kind of foundational learning that everyone has to go through even though no one likes it. While there are some aspects of childhood boot camp that I remember fondly (increased cardio capacity, having meals and housing provided, the thick skin that comes with having your spirit broken), I want my kids to know that there's nothing unusual about disliking "the wonder years," and that the best is yet to come.

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And one day, if they work hard enough, they'll get to watch The Walking Dead at midnight while eating Girl Scout Cookies too. It's called living the dream, kids. You'll get here.

Hey, everyone, we don't have to live in fear of death anymore because Sharon Stone has been to the other side and it's fabulous.

Stone, who suffered a devastating brain aneurysm back in 2001, recently opened up about the details of her near-death experience — and her words are actually quite comforting.

"I feel that I did die," Stone said in an interview with Closer, via Page Six. "This kind of giant vortex of light was upon me and — poof! I sort of took off into this glorious, white light."

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And from the sounds of it, Stone was also greeted by loved ones at those pearly gates.

"I started to see and be met by some of my friends... people who were very, very dear to me [who had died]. I had a real journey with this that took me to places both here and beyond," Stone revealed. "But it was very fast — whoosh! Suddenly, I was back. I was back in my body.

"I get not to be afraid of dying and I get to tell other people that it’s a fabulous thing and death is a gift," she continued. "When death becomes you, as it will, it’s a glorious beautiful thing. I had an incredible sense of well-being and a sense that it’s just so near. Death — it’s very near and very safe. It’s not a far away or scary thing."

This isn't the first time Stone has spoken about her brush with death. She talked about the details of her brain aneurysm to The Hollywood Reporter in 2014.

More: Report: Sharon Stone left devastated over tragic death of a family member

"I bled in my brain for nine days. I spent two years learning to walk and talk again," she said of the harrowing experience. "I came home from that stroke stuttering, couldn't read for two years. I was in an ICU for nine days, and the survival rate for what I went through is very low. I don't need someone to make me feel bad about growing older. I'll tell you what makes you feel bad: when you think you might not."

Tell us, what do you think of Stone's near-death experience? Do you know anyone who has a story about crossing over to the other side?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Boys will be boys, especially at a Bringing Up Bates birthday party.

More: Bringing Up Bates family is about to add another baby to the mix

Jackson Bates turned 14 tonight on the show and, in Bates land, that means he gets to take on all sorts of new responsibilities, like joining the tree-cutting family business in a more grown-up capacity. Gil Bates let him use the saw and everything.

Despite the hard work, Jackson had a lot of fun with the task and even got to cut down a tree or two. (With some supervised help from his dad and the older boys, of course.)

But that wasn't the part that made me cringe for poor Jackson.

It wasn't even his paintball birthday party, though the boys were sure to say that you can't spell "paint" without "pain."

More: Screw Tinder — let's give Bringing Up Bates courtships a try

But it was the fact that after splitting up into teams and playing a few rounds of competitive elimination-style games, Jackson then allowed his family to line up like a firing squad and fire a few dozen rounds at him while he ran around the obstacle course defenseless.

"In the Bates family, we try to choose games that are competitive and painful," Zach explained with a thoughtful expression that made me laugh. Thanks, Zach, got it!

Gil had some 'splaining to do to after that one. Kelly Jo wanted to know what they had done to her "baby" who got shot in the neck, among other places. Gil was sure to say repeatedly that Jackson volunteered for the paintball course's birthday tradition of firing squad shenanigans.

At the end of the day, it was all in good fun, as events with the Bates family always are. And I know I said that I wouldn't want to go to a Bates birthday party in my headline, but let's be real, I'd be there in a heartbeat if I actually got the invite. I just wouldn't want to be on Jackson's end.

More: The new Bringing Up Bates baby name shouldn't come as a surprise

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez are never, ever, ever getting back together. Like, ever. Unless Martinez can get his act together, that is.

Yes, divorce proceedings have been slow-going (the couple initially filed last October) and the Los Angeles Superior Court has even reportedly warned Berry and Martinez that if they don't take action on their divorce filing soon, it will be dismissed — but rumor has it that Berry will keep Martinez at bay until he can control his erratic behavior, and the hold-up on the dissolution of their marriage is only because Martinez is dragging his feet.

"Olivier never wanted the divorce," a source told People magazine. "It's not surprising that they haven't moved forward."

More: Halle Berry's husband loses his cool in LAX airport

Martinez may be trying to win Berry back, but from the sound of things, she is holding strong.

"She definitely has no interest in getting back with Olivier unless his temper and controlling nature change," another People source said. "And there's no indication that either will, so it seems that they will remain separate.

"Neither is rushing to finalize a divorce, as it's not, nor has it ever been, about another person," the source added. "It's about who they are together and who they are apart. And they seem much happier apart."

But if we're being totally real here, y'all aren't that crazy for thinking there's a possibility of Martinez and Berry reuniting. There's the fact that they vacationed together in Mexico in March — five months after they had filed for divorce — and they have been successfully working together to coparent their son and Berry's daughter with her ex-boyfriend, Gabriel Aubry.

More: Halle Berry's ex goes on harsh Twitter rant to help Olivier Martinez

Speaking of Aubry, remember what Martinez did to his face? I guess it's not hard to understand where Berry's coming from when we hear she needs Martinez to get his temper under control.

What do you guys think? Is there still a chance Olivier and Berry will reunite?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

You know what they say: The best way to a woman's heart is through her horse. That is, if the woman you are trying to woo is Kaley Cuoco, of course.

Cuoco has definitely moved on after her divorce from Ryan Sweeting with current boyfriend Karl Cook, and the secret ingredient in the new relationship seems to be their shared loved of four-legged friends.

"I can't stop smiling, I'm so happy... life is so, so good," she told the hosts of The Talk on Thursday. "We met at a horse show. I finally found my horse guy. I know. It was very meant to be. He's an amazing, amazing rider. Rider and jumper. Amazing equestrian and great human. We share obviously our passion for horses and dogs and all that. And it's been lovely. So I'm so happy."

More: Can we all just get over the fact that Kaley Cuoco falls in love fast?

And judging by the sweet photos sprinkled throughout her Instagram, Cuoco is just as happy as she claims to be.

Is it just us, or does it sound like this guy could be The One? Cuoco even admits that she felt a bit skeptical about the future of her love life after things ended with Sweeting, but in her heart she knew better things were in store for her.

"I think I might have said things like, 'I'm never going to love again. I'm never going to get married again,'" she recalled of her split from Sweeting. "You say these things and the people that know you the best, they, like, know my heart and that's just not me. I wear my heart on my sleeve. And I knew even deep down, I knew this was just not the right thing and the right thing was coming for me. I knew it. We all go through these things, but a lot of people don't see everyone's personal life played out. A lot of people go through this stuff on their own and I'm just glad I got through it. And I couldn't be happier. It's like I saw the light somehow."

More: The hate over Kaley Cuoco's new relationship is getting so old and boring

And we're so glad she did. Watch Cuoco talk about her new man in the video below.

What do you think of Cuoco's new romance with Cook?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

With Justin Hartley out at The Young and the Restless to focus on his new primetime show, This Is Us, the news keeps on churning for a Michael Muhney return. Let’s take a look at some of the evidence.

In an Aug. 21 tweet, Muhney posted, “There’s always another chapter to write!”

Fans immediately took that as a hint he might be coming back to Y&R to replace Hartley. Despite his challenges with several actors on the show during his prior stint as Adam Newman, Muhney admitted he was often difficult on the set.

More: General Hospital star Matt Cohen shouldn’t leave his daytime job

Perhaps the producers saw his personal growth and they are ready to give him a second chance. The rumored sexual harassment incident between him and Hunter King might be avoided this time because she has been relegated to recurring status. Producers may be able to schedule their scenes on different days.

The writers also left the Adam Newman story in an open-ended fashion. At first glance, it looks like the character died in the cabin explosion, but any longtime soap fan knows that these legacy characters have a way of resurrecting themselves.

More: Are Justin Hartley and Michael Muhney really doing a Y&R swap?

When Hartley replaced Muhney in 2014, the character was involved in an SUV explosion after it went off a cliff. Guess who survived? Adam Newman.

Even fans are ready to have him back. CelebDirtyLaundry.com did a viewer poll and found that over 85 percent of Y&R viewers approve of having Muhney back in the mix. With a new executive producer on board and a new head writer about to step into place, it’s quite possible that Muhney will return.

More: RHOBH star Eileen Davidson reveals a dark secret no one knew about

As for Melissa Claire Egan, who plays Adam’s love interest, Chelsea, she is unsure what will happen next to the character.

“Chelsea is in mourning right now," she told MichaelFairmanSoaps.com. “I truly don’t think there is going to be another Adam… but, who knows? As of now, I don’t think there is a plan to.”

Is Egan misleading fans to make them believe Adam is really dead? We’re going to follow the telling clues because it sure looks like Munhey has come full circle and is headed back to Y&R.

Bernie Sanders popped in for a chat on Late Night with Seth Meyers, and it went about as you'd expect: He again threw his support behind one-time nemesis Hillary Clinton and tore Donald Trump to shreds.

More: Azealia Banks crosses a major line with her rant against Sarah Palin

Sanders came out hard against Trump, calling out the candidate for his hypocrisy in claiming to be the champion of the American worker.

"It's pathetic, and it's laughable," said Sanders. "Here is a guy who has exploited people for much of his business career. Here is a guy who claims how concerned he is about American companies going abroad to manufacture products — a very legitimate concern — and yet his own clothing manufacturing is done in other countries around the world where the poor workers are being exploited. And then he talks about how he's going to stand up with working people, and he puts his business advisors council together, and they're all these billionaire conservative folks. So I don't think there's any reason for anyone to believe that Trump is going to stand with working people. He's a billionaire; his proposals call for massive tax breaks for the wealthiest people in this country. This is not a guy who, in my view, is going to stand up for working people."

More: RHONJ's Teresa Giudice thinks Donald Trump would be a great president

"I've got seven grandchildren, and I do not want them growing up under a Trump presidency," Sanders exclaimed. "It's not just the tax breaks for the rich and the denial of the reality of climate change — it is that he has made bigotry the cornerstone of his campaign. This country has struggled since its inception in terms of what we did to the Native Americans, in terms of slavery, in terms of all kinds of discrimination. We have fought so hard to try to become a less discriminatory society. In many respects, we have succeeded, we have come a long way — gay rights, women's rights — we have made real progress. I do not want to see this country recede and go back to where one group is scapegoating another group. That is not where we can go. And I'm going to do everything I can to prevent that from happening."

But the most entertaining part wasn't on the TV screen at all. It was the Twitter reactions. Some loved what he had to say about Trump and Clinton, some hated it, but everyone can agree on one thing: Sanders inspires just as much passion from his supporters as he did when he was still in the race.

Sanders will be stumping for Clinton through the weekend.

More: Women of Shondaland gather to support Hillary Clinton

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's romance is going strong, even though they currently find themselves in a long distance relationship — Bloom is in China shooting his latest film, Tour De Pharmacy. But don't go thinking that distance is a problem for these two, because apparently they've found the perfect formula for keeping their love alive.

More: There maybe one (very big) problem in Orlando Bloom & Katy Perry's relationship

"Katy and Orlando have been making their relationship work while he is out of the country shooting a film. Despite the long distance, Katy has been talking to Orlando in the middle of night and staying connected with texts daily," a source tells HollywoodLife.

OK, that seems like a pretty normal thing to do in a long distance relationship, and it's no secret that great communication is the key to a successful relationship, so no surprise here. However, the surprise is the claim that the source made about how Perry is currently enjoying Bloom's nude beach photos — and we doubt she's the only one who appreciates them.

More: Katy Perry shuts down Orlando Bloom and Selena Gomez rumors with one tweet

"The few times Katy has really missed him, she has just looked up his silly nude paddle board pics online. After a quick peek and a giggle, she always feels better. She loves how smart, carefree, creative and inspiring Orlando is and she can’t wait to see him again soon," the source revealed.

Um, Googling your boyfriend, and one of his most-talked about moments, is kind of an odd thing to do, but we get it. It's not even about the nudity, it's the fact that Perry loves the man that Bloom is: He's confident in himself and in his body. Plus, those photos probably take her back to some really great memories from their Italian vacation.

More: Orlando Bloom looked like a proud stage mom watching Katy Perry at the DNC

Do you think Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom are a great match? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

On the evening of their Winter Solstice party in 2012, Jelly and David appeared to be living the life of a normal married couple. The decorations had been hung throughout their home with care. He was putting the last touches on the food. She had just finished setting napkins out, looking for strategic spots. Their kids were tucked away snugly with grandparents for the evening. She surveyed the work they’d done together, trying to feel satisfied. But inside, she was empty. She stared at her husband and sighed deeply. It might not have been the right time but it suddenly seemed as though it was the only time. She couldn’t wait any longer.

“I want us to be polyamorous.”

David felt the abrupt surprise and stared back silently. For Jelly, this was a discussion long overdue. They had both been introduced to polyamory, and the whole concept of ethical non-monogamy, years before by a close friend of theirs who openly lived the practice. It’s easy to confuse with other ideas of open relationships, like swinging or polygamy, but polyamory is entirely different. It essentially creates a relationship network where multiple consenting adults can be involved with each other on different levels and have partnerships that extend beyond one person. Ethical non-monogamy allows people to form healthier, more complete relationships in many circumstances. When Jelly first heard the word, she realized that was who she had always needed to be.

"I was the cheater," she said immediately, when asked about the decision to open their marriage. "The story about women and the need for sexual fulfillment isn’t the one people hear, but that was the situation for me." Extramarital affairs were an ongoing part of their relationship for the first dozen years, only stopping for the pregnancies and births of her children. But even before her marriage, monogamy was a struggle for Jelly. Her first relationship in her teenage years was with two boys who were best friends.

Things were different after she got married but the infidelity stayed constant. It started to ware on both of them. She lived in a state of perpetual fear — fear of discovery, fear of pain, fear of something going wrong with the delicate threads that kept their life together. Following a health scare, they had shifted from total silence to a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, so David knew there were things going on. But knowing that it was happening wasn’t the same as supporting it. David had been her best friend for so many years now and they shared everything — except for this. It left a chasm in their hearts. She knew there had to be something better. After a lot of lengthy discussions, they agreed to try a polyamorous lifestyle with separate relationships.

The execution wasn’t easy. They still had all the same feelings and potential pitfalls from their monogamous relationship. When David began another relationship, despite her best intentions, Jelly was consumed with envy. With time, however, they both got more comfortable. They went on more dates and created more bonds. They hosted events and educated other people about the love they’d found in polyamorous life.

Now, Jelly has two partners she sees often — George has joined the family, in more ways than one. Although he doesn’t cohabitate, their relationship isn’t any less significant than the one she has with David. They share their trials and tribulations. He cooks, watches the kids, and takes care of things with a similar zeal to either of them. She continues to go on dates and pursue relationships outside both relationships, with everyone’s full support. Although infidelity is certainly possible in polyamorous relationships, her problems with cheating have faded completely. Having an environment of love, openness, and communication was essential to creating a healthier life for all of them.

"I want to put our story out there because there just aren't good models out there for the community. There's no Ozzie and Harriet and June, you know?" she laughed. And she's right — the absence of cooperative, adult relationships in our media is noticeable. Infidelity storylines play out repeatedly, but three or more people operating together isn't commonplace. Her polycule — the network of partners, lovers, metas, and caretakers that make up her world — is not only more stable than when she was in a monogamous marriage but it also lets her lead a richer life.

“It's a 'build your own relationship,'" she says, "Like back in the day, when people built their own computers and they looked funky and did different things. That’s what we’re doing with our relationships. We all just want to build something that works for us.”

Are you convinced you're the strongest person alive and that the emotions a lot of other people experience are nothing but proof that they are weak? Do you constantly find yourself saying, "I'm fine," but not feeling quite as fine as you let on?

Welcome to the world of the emotionally constipated — you're far from alone. Many other adults are also struggling to understand what they're allowed to feel and are putting their own emotions on trial every time an uncomfortable one sprouts up. Unfortunately, judging our feelings, refusing to acknowledge that we have them and turning down all requests by caring people to share them is a surefire way to get so "backed up" with emotions that you'll make yourself sick — literally.

"How we feel and our emotional well being is incredibly important," says Dr. Sanam Hafeez, founder and clinical director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services. "People who harbor resentments can put their health at risk. Bottling up negative emotion is often linked to hypertension, migraine headache, ulcers, insomnia and even cancer."

Here are six signs you may be emotionally constipated.

1. You spend most of your time alone — It's one thing to enjoy taking walks alone or treating yourself to lunch with a good book, and another to actively avoid any and all contact with the outside world. "Pay attention to the amount of human interaction you have in general on a daily basis," Hafeez says. "If you notice most of your time is spent alone — if friends and family are calling and texting asking 'are you OK, where have you been?' you're withdrawing."

More: Your vagina has needs that you're probably not fulfilling

2. You feel angry and/or depressed — Maybe so much time has passed since you last spoke about your feelings that you can no longer locate the source of the anger and sadness you feel. If you find yourself feeling more pent-up emotions than usual, Hafeez says this is a sign that you are not communicating and are shutting down.

3. You aren't feeling your physical best — At some point, repressed emotions are going to surface — they may not cause you to have emotional outbursts on your morning commute, but they will create physical pains and discomfort that are difficult to ignore. "It's common to have severe headaches, loss of appetite, a general feeling of being run down, exhaustion or insomnia," Hafeez says. "When emotions go unexpressed, they fester within, which can lead to even more serious illness such as heart disease, digestive disorders and mental health issues such as depression. Not to mention, the loss of relationships, misunderstandings and other social problems that stem from such a withdrawal."

4. You have a difficult time feeling pure joy and happiness — Emotional constipation isn't just about keeping your sadness and anger buried deep inside. The flip side is that by tempering your emotions, you are also depriving yourself of feeling wonderful, unbridled joy and happiness when something exciting happens in your life. It's a lose-lose situation.

More: Walking is the most underrated exercise ever

5. You have a difficult time empathizing with other people — You have become such a pro at pretending you don't have emotions that you have zero tolerance for people who do express themselves. Maybe you label them as "too sensitive." If your child is emotional, you may find yourself telling him to "stop crying" or "man up." You're actually sending the people you love a message that you don't think their feelings are worthy enough to be considered important — and it's only a matter of time before they begin retreating from and hiding their feelings from you.

6. You bounce around from one partner to another — If your first instinct after a bad breakup is to go out on the prowl and find someone to help you get over your ex, you may be denying yourself the courtesy of feeling your own pain and working through it before moving on. Perhaps you equate being lovesick with being weak, or you "refuse" to give your ex the satisfaction of knowing he hurt you. But the only way to truly get over a breakup and find another connection that better suits you is by feeling the sadness and loss and surviving it before you start again.

The Kardashian clan didn't exactly welcome Blac Chyna with open arms when she and Rob Kardashian first started dating, but things have since changed and the family seem to be onboard with the relationship. But whether the couple will be able to make their relationship work in the long run, well that's another issue.

More: Rob & Chyna have some serious #pregnancyproblems

Kardashian and Chyna's reality TV show, Rob & Chyna, gave viewers a glimpse into their volatile relationship. While they're meant to be celebrating one of the happiest times of their lives (they're engaged and expecting a baby girl) the changes in their lives seem to be causing a lot of tension in their relationship — something which Kris Jenner recently touched on during an interview with E! News.

"They were [in a better place] last night! You never know with those two. They were in a good place last night and talking about the baby and stuff like that, it was great," Jenner explained. But her comments about how "you never know" don't paint a very positive picture for Kardashian and Chyna's future, instead, it suggests that the couple may be on rocky terms.

More: Yep, Kris Jenner actually legally served her own son, Rob Kardashian

There is much speculation surrounding Kardashian and Chyna's current relationship status, but there's no denying that she has been a great influence in his life and has helped to bring the once-reclusive Kardashian out of his shell.

"I think he's in a relationship and he's feeling loved and he's expecting a baby and he's got this new family unit that he's a part of now, and I think every single thing that's happened to him over the last year has been very significant in helping him overcome some of his challenges and adversities he's gone through lately," Kris explained, adding, "But I think he's in such a good place. I actually took him out to dinner last night, we all went to dinner to celebrate, and just thank God that he's in such a great place."

More: What we know about Blac Chyna & Rob Kardashian's wedding so far

We're so happy to hear that Rob has managed to get his life back on track, but now we hope that he and Chyna can put their differences aside and focus on what's important: Their relationship and the arrival of their baby daughter.

Do you think Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna's romance will make it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Few people can use a laugh more than parents. When they're not putting out (metaphorical and possibly literal) fires, cleaning unidentifiable substances off of walls or being woken up at ungodly hours, a hearty chuckle is in order. Here are this week's funniest tweets from parents. Because you need it.

1. Perception is everything

2. What's the ROI?

3. Just unearthed...

More: A teenager is suing her parents for their Facebook posts

4. Um, Dad?

5. Get right to it

Up next: More funny parenting tweets

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6. Selective seeing

More: The freak-out over this teacher's selfies is straight-up body-shaming

7. Sounds fun

8. Humans have evolved

9. A fool's errand

More: My kindergartner's photos don't need to be retouched, thanks very much

10. Ouch!

Cats can be very particular about their litter boxes! It is important to cats to have a designated area for their “toilet”. So knowing where to place the litter box for your cat(s), what kind of litter to use, how many boxes there should be, etc., are all very important decisions for you to make in order to keep your beloved feline companion happy.

1. Shh!

To begin, you will want to find a quiet place that gives your cat a little privacy. Though laundry rooms or basements seem like good places for litter boxes because they are out-of-the-way, loud noises like washing machines and other appliances can make a cat nervous. This will ultimately force them to find an alternative place to relieve themselves outside of their litter box.

2. What’s the temperature?

You will also want to consider temperature when designating a site for your cat’s litter box. Anything that can make your cat uncomfortable, like a cold damp basement or a hot boiler room might also deter your feline friend from going to that spot. Heat will also amplify odor and cats will not go where they think it is too dirty.

3. Location, location, location

Cats have a heightened sense of smell and they do not want the aroma of the litter box wafting through the air where they are eating or sleeping. You will want to make sure that the location of your cat’s litter box is not next to where they eat, drink or sleep.

For this reason, you will also want to think about helping to control litter box odors with the type of litter you buy. ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™ cat litter is a great option; the MicroGuard™ technology seals and destroys immediate odor and prevents the growth of future bacterial odors for 7-day odor control, guaranteed. Even after you scoop, bacterial odor can keep growing; however, heavy-duty odor eliminators plus ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda destroy immediate odors on contact, helping to keep you and your cat’s noses happy.

4. Multiple litter boxes

If you have one cat who has problems with using her/his litter box, and you have determined with your veterinarian that there are no medical issues, try adding another litter box. Some cats like to urinate in one box and defecate in another. Also, some cats will not use a litter box unless it is cleaned, so in case you miss the moment they use the box, there is another clean one that can be used.

If you have multiple cats in the home, it is essential to have a litter box for each cat and maybe one extra. You certainly do not want your cat companion to urinate or defecate outside of their litter box because the only litter box in the home is in use.

Lastly, if you have a big house that your kitty(s) roams around, you will also want to think about putting litter boxes on more than one floor or location so that they can get there when they need to go and not go somewhere else because the litter box is too far away.

5. The litter

Finally, what type of cat litter you use is just as important as the location, because if your cat doesn’t like the litter, they won’t use the litter box.

Another benefit to using ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™ cat litter is that it is made with fine micro-particles, so your cat will love the soft feel on his/her paws. Speaking to cat owners here at the Humane Society of New York, we have found that in general, cats prefer the fine-grained litters, perhaps because they have a soft feel like soil.

The MicroGuard™ formula also helps to create rock solid clumps. No crumbly clumps means your cat can more easily push aside the litter after they do their business. Rock solid clumps also make for easier scooping. Win-win.

Finding the right location for your cat’s litter box and using the right product in the box, like ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ MicroGuard™ cat litter, will keep you and your beloved kitty happy! Because let’s be honest, no one wants to deal with outside-the-litter-box surprises.

This post is sponsored by the makers of ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal MicroGuard Cat Litter and SheKnows Media.

Kanye West is continuously out-Kanye-ing himself.

More: Tim Gunn ruthlessly slams all of the Kardashians — and Kanye (VIDEO)

His latest totally Kanye move? An interview with W magazine in June, in which he pretty much just ranted about how the fashion industry doesn't appreciate his genius at all. Remember, this happened in June, before his annual fashion show, Yeezy Season 4, was a total flop.

"OK, so you know when Penelope [from Wreck It Ralph] puts together her car? And she's like, 'Made it myself,' and everybody that has professional cars, they say, 'Look at you with your little car and you're going to do this,' and then they break her car, right? That's basically the fashion world to me," West began. But that wasn't the only bizarre comparison he drew.

He continued, "I'm the elf that's Will Ferrell, that's too big for his hands to make the toys. But he wants to make the toys. Why? Not just so he could play with them, but he wants to bring joy to the world. I am a creator and it's my responsibility. I build things that mean things to people. I make the Christmas presents."

West went on to compare himself to Gru from Despicable Me, Chris Gardner from The Pursuit of Happiness, and a slew of artists and geniuses who were devalued by society during their own time. Uh-huh, K.

This interview is especially poignant now because fashion guru Tim Gunn has been going after Yeezy with a passion, dissing his designs left and right. And West had some words for his critics during that interview: "I will fucking laser you with alien fucking eyes and explode your fucking head. Shut the fuck up."

More: One year later, Tim Gunn is still trash-talking Kanye's Yeezy clothing line

Is that vulgar enough for you, Tim?

What do you think of Kanye's rant?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

For the first time in its 45 years of existence, Cup Noodles — that fried, dried, neon yellow soup from your childhood (and current office break room) — has been given a makeover.

Now, usually when someone makes a change to something nostalgic, I get up in arms. Must everything change? But in the case of food, companies have recently been making changes to make our favorite childhood foods if not outright healthy then at least a little healthier. General Mills got rid of artificial colors in its cereals, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell have removed several artificial flavors, and McDonald's is moving toward using only cage-free eggs. Customers clearly want higher-quality foods, and brands are finally listening.

More: Your McNuggets are about to get a million times better

That's the case with Nissin. It has reduced the sodium (from 1,430 milligrams to 1,070 milligrams), swapped MSG for hydrolyzed vegetable protein and removed artificial flavors from Cup Noodles in favor of things like green cabbage juice. I'm sure Gwyneth "I would rather die than let my kids eat Cup-a-Soup" Paltrow would be happy about this latest development, but for the rest of us lowbrow, freeze-dried noodle slurpers, one question remains: Does it still taste any good?

Luckily some SheKnows staff members had a chance to try the new Cup Noodles recipe, and reviews were mostly positive.

"We set up a little taste test — old vs. new. I tried the new version first, and um, whoa! Instantly noticed a difference. The original recipe always made me feel like I was just slurping down a big, hot pile of MSG. But this new recipe? Let me tell ya, the broth was way less salty (in a good way), and there seemed to be a lot more natural herb flavors. Ten points to you, Cup Noodles!"

—Kenzie Mastroe, branded content editor

More: It's time to get over MSG, already — it's just not bad for you

"I liked the new version a lot. The sodium wasn't as overpowering, the taste didn't linger forever in my mouth, and the herbs — I think it was parsley — really stood out. I still wouldn't call it 'healthy,' though."

—Colleen Stinchcombe, Experts editor

"I didn't taste a huge difference, but it was less salty, and that's the best part. My heart didn't even start beating faster after."

—Crystal Brown, director of content operations

Entertainment editor Kristine Cannon didn't notice much of a difference, but that's because she only tried the noodles without the broth. "Maybe my taste buds are just jacked, LOL."

So the overall consensus seems to be that it tastes a little more natural and a little less salty than the original, but generally about the same. A delicious Cup Noodles that doesn't turn my teeth yellow and give my tongue sodium burn but still tastes like my childhood comfort food? I am so there.

More: Kraft pulled a fast one on us, and we didn't even notice

Before you go, check out our 50 one-pot recipes:

Let's say it all together now: Once you commit words online, that's where they'll remain — forever (unless you're lucky enough to have your old MySpace profile blasted from existence). Someone needs to hop into a time machine and back to 2011 to remind Donald Trump Jr. of this golden rule, because an old misogynist tweet he crafted has resurfaced and is getting picked apart by a new audience.

More: You might be more like Donald Trump than you realize

The son of the Republican nominee for president has five children of his own with wife Vanessa. His eldest was born four years before he crafted this bizarre and gross tweet that pokes fun at "herds of mothers" for, apparently, have nothing but the stress of keeping a little person alive and healthy to chat about over lunch.

The fact that Trump tweeted this weirdness four months before Vanessa gave birth to son Tristan Milos somehow makes it even more egregious — was he speaking specifically about his wife and her friends? Oh hey, cool, would you look at that? Sister Ivanka had just given birth to her first child, Arabella, in July '11. Perhaps he was suggesting that she too had become a mommy bot with no outside interests other than Pampers, breast milk and push stories?

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Since now is the perfect time for this tweet to see the light of day again, what with Daddy Trump Sr. running for the highest office while holding firm that raising kids is mommy work, it's also the ideal time to gauge the reaction on Twitter. And the responses are pure gold.

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And just think — we haven't even started to crack open Trump Jr.'s holocaust "joke." Trump + his son = material for days.