The answer that The Young and the Restless fans have been waiting for has finally come, and it’s not the conclusion many were hoping for — Adam Newman is dead. There have been rumors and slivers of hope that the character might be back with Justin Hartley making a cameo or that Michael Muhney would return to the role he played from 2009 to 2014.
This news has fans protesting the fact that the character won’t be resurrected, nor will another actor be brought in as a recast.
Adam Newman Protests
Adam Newman Protests
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Adam Newman Protests-2
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Adam Newman Protests-3
Let’s remember though that Y&R has been off track for a long time with writers failing to honor the history of the long-running soap. Sussman started her career under creator William J. Bell, and has her roots firmly planted in Genoa City. Along with writer Kay Alden, Sussman is ready to return Y&R to its former glory.
“We need real emotion. Real heartache. Again, we need honest characters. We need to give the audience something really meaty. Emotion was Bill’s [Bell] stock in trade. He took it to a really deep level,” she said. “I would like to strive for that. You can’t get by on just one active story. This show must become binge-worthy.”
Fans have to trust what Sussman is doing here. She wants the soap to succeed as much as you do. It’s going to take time for her to right the wrongs of former writers who didn’t understand the history of the show. She’s placing importance on the legacy characters we’ve grown up with.
“I see eight stalwarts. They are the indispensables,” said Sussman “In no particular order: Nikki, Victor, Jack, Ashley, Nick, Sharon, Billy and Victoria.”
With her passion firmly grounding Y&R, Sussman is hoping that this show will be buzzworthy again. She understands what we are all looking for, but we have to be patient with the results. Her first show airs on Dec. 7.
“I want the show to really move. I want to eliminate all the repetition, which I hate. Now your average viewer is only watching once or twice a week,” she said enthusiastically. “If we can give Y&R momentum — so that people truly cannot wait to see the next episode — we can create more audience that watches more often. So that’s the grand plan!”
I don’t know about you, but this has me excited for Y&R again. And for those who are worrying about Adam Newman — he’s dead for now — but we know that no one ever dies for good on daytime TV. You can always keep a bit of hope alive.
The study, published earlier this month in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (that’s right — have a baby at 35 or later and your pregnancy is officially “geriatric”) followed 830 menopausal women and found that certain factors, including a later-in-life pregnancy and use of oral contraceptive for 10 years or more resulted in greater verbal memory and/or global cognition.
The thinking is, those hormones that often make us feel so crazy are actually good for your brain, and the later in life a woman experiences the hormone surge of pregnancy, the longer-lasting the benefits. "While it is not enough to suggest that women wait until after 35 years of age to close their family growth, our finding of a positive effect of later age at last pregnancy on late-life cognition is novel and substantial," said the lead author of the study, Dr. Roksana Karim of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
As they never said in Seinfeld, when it comes to later-in-life pregnancy, insanity now… serenity later.
Viral internet challenges have given us some of the most ridiculous and hilarious videos that have graced our screens over the past few years. These fads or memes, such as the planking challenge, the Harlem Shake and more recently the water bottle flip challenge, have not only provided us with a unique source of entertainment, but actually pushed our creativity in ways only the internet is capable of.
The newest sensation dominating social media right now is the #MannequinChallenge, and yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. This challenge involves a group of people freezing in place (like mannequins) while the camera moves around and shows you everyone's unique and impressive poses. Reportedly started by Twitter user @pvrity_ with a group of high school students from Jacksonville, Florida, this craze has hit viral status now that celebrities, sports teams, universities and even the Clinton campaign have got in on the action (or lack thereof).
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Most #MannequinChallenge videos have been set to music, the unofficial anthem being hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd's song "Black Beatles."
Billy Bush, the other party who was captured on the infamous hot mic tape in which Trump bragged about getting away with sexual assault because of his fame, was first disgraced and unceremoniously canned from his gig on the Today show following the scandal. But now that Trump has shown that even blatantly admitting to and bragging about sexual assault doesn't keep a man from winning the U.S. presidency, Bush isn't being seen as the media pariah he was just days ago.
New reports say that Bush is being recruited by ultra-conservative blog Breitbart to become its new entertainment reporter following the election — and Trump's decision to name the site's publisher, Steve Bannon, his chief of staff.
"They are trying to recruit Billy Bush," an insider at the site told Page Six. "They want to expand covering Hollywood in a big way — and think Billy would be perfect for the job."
But since Breitbart is only a blog and doesn't have a TV division, Bush may not even be interested in the job.
"Billy’s ego is big," the insider said. "He likes to be a TV star, and would want to go to a rival like ABC or CBS."
Still, the fact that any media outlet is considering Bush for a job now, after Trump won the presidency, is an alarming sign that Trump's behavior is being normalized. Bush was fired for the role he played in the sexual assault scandal that should have cost Trump the election. Now, he's being hired again because Trump's win trivialized the fact that the two were giggling over actual admissions of sexual assault. Let that sink in.
If Republicans’ first response to winning the election is any indication of things to come, this country has little hope of ever uniting. Even under the best of circumstances, recovering from this recent loss seems almost insurmountable. But when you add in the response of many Republicans —who are openly criticizing Hillary supporters who are faced with the agonizing task of dispensing with their grief and embracing a man they fear and loathe—you can plainly see that the division that now exists is destined to grow wider.
As Elisabeth Kübler-Ross detailed in her 1969 book On Death and Dying, there are five stages of grief:
Denial and isolation
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance
There is no question that Democrats are racing through these stages in grim anticipation of January 20, 2017. We see evidence of this in the spike of calls to mental health hotlines as well as in the cries of protesters.
Under normal circumstances, those who have cause to grieve are permitted to do so without falling victim to ridicule or persecution. However, though we were once considered neighbors, family and friends, today millions of Democrats are being kicked while they’re down.
So I beg you, you have won. Please behave like winners.
Are you afraid that we are going to request a do-over and that, for the fist time in history, it will be granted? I think it’s safe to say that 99.99% of all Democrats are acutely aware that the election has been decided. Our candidate has formally conceded. Yet you continue to torture us. We sign onto our Facebook pages, looking for levity and love, only to find “friends” posting hideous photos of Hillary adorned with hateful captions. Imagine if someone posted something like that about your mother on the day of her funeral. That is really how bad we feel.
Do you want us to apologize for interrupting your celebration with protests? Is it just too much for your egos to endure? Can’t you appreciate for one rare moment that we simply want the silent majority to join us in our fight for love and fairness; unity, charity and equality and all the other beautiful things that Trump routinely shuns? We aren’t trying to freak you out. Fear is your calling card, not ours.
So please, instead of continuously handing us reminders us of how very different we are, give us a moment to process the loss of all hope that the next four years will bring something different than what your insensitive, bullying response seems to promise.
But if you're like me and you immediately jump to the conclusion that they broke up already, hold off on that happy dance, because they're probably just keeping their romance low-key.
The whole internet was giddy with excitement over what it prematurely decided would be the new royal couple's first public event together: a Rugby match between England and South Africa. Markle had been spotted around London prior to the event, and rumors were flying about how serious she and Harry are already, so obviously she would accompany him to the match, where he was officially serving as the vice patron of Rugby Football Union.
Nope. Harry arrived at the event solo, and sources said Markle was already back in Toronto, where she lives.
Despite all the speculation, sources say Markle was never even considering going with Harry to the match.
"To be honest, they're relieved that they got to spend time together without being seen," an insider told Us Weekly. "It was a great trip. Going to the rugby [match] together was never going to happen. It was an official engagement, not a social event, and Harry is a professional."
So apparently, even though they're never seen together, Harry and Markle are actually still going strong. Hmph.
Still, there's a literal ocean between them at almost all times, so you have to know their long-distance romance isn't going to be easy to maintain. After the political pile of poo this week has been, a single Prince Harry would be just the pick-me-up we all need, and hey, a girl can dream, right?
The world lost the amazing, glass ceiling-shattering Gwen Ifill on Monday, less than a year after the PBS NewsHour co-anchor was diagnosed with cancer, according to CNN Money.
Ifill reportedly died from complications due to endometrial cancer, which is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society — yet we don't often hear about the illness.
The American Cancer Society also projects about 60,050 new cases of cancer of the body of the uterus will be diagnosed in 2016 alone, so it's important for women to educate themselves about the affliction. Here's what you need to know.
1. What is endometrial cancer?
Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the tissue lining the uterus (also known as the endometrium), according to Womenshealth.gov. You might have also heard of uterine sarcomas — which occur when cancer grows in the muscles or other supporting tissues in the uterus — but uterine sarcomas are not the same thing as endometrial cancer and account for only a small portion of cancers of the uterus.
2. Postmenopausal women are at a higher risk
The American Cancer Society says endometrial cancer affects mainly postmenopausal women — the average age of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer is 60 — and it is uncommon in women under the age of 45.
It is slightly more common in white women, but black women are more likely to die from it.
3. But there are other risk factors
While menopausal and postmenopausal women are the demographic most often diagnosed with endometrial cancer, there are many other risk factors involved. It's also important to note that women who do not fall into any of the risk categories have also been diagnosed with uterine cancers.
Having endometrial hyperplasia — an increase in the number of cells in the lining of the uterus
Using estrogen without progesterone
Being obese or having related conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
Using tamoxifen to prevent or treat breast cancer
Having an inherited form of colorectal cancer
Having a history of endometrial polyps or other benign growths of the uterine lining
Never being pregnant or being infertile
Starting menstruation before age 12
Starting menopause after age 50
4. Vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom
Womenshealth.gov and the Illinois Department of Public Health both agree that abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of uterine cancer. Bleeding may start as a watery, blood-streaked flow that gradually contains more blood.
5. Never pass off bleeding as a normal part of menopause
Women should not assume that abnormal vaginal bleeding is part of menopause, says Womenshealth.gov. If you have abnormal vaginal bleeding after menopause, talk with your health care provider as soon as possible.
6. Other symptoms to be aware of
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a woman should see her doctor if she has any of the following symptoms:
Unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge not related to menstruation, most commonly postmenopausal bleeding
Thin white or clear vaginal discharge after menopause
Extremely long, heavy or frequent episodes of vaginal bleeding after age 40
Difficult or painful urination
Pain during intercourse
Pain in the pelvic area
The American Cancer Society adds that pain in the pelvis, feeling a mass (tumor), and losing weight without trying can also be symptoms commonly associated with later stages of uterine cancer. They advise not to delay in seeking medical help to avoid allowing the disease to progress any further.
It's important to note that any of the above symptoms can also be caused by other, less serious conditions. Most of the time these signs aren't cancer, but it's always safe to check with your doctor just to be sure.
7. The prognosis is usually good
The great news is endometrial cancer is highly curable. There are more than 600,000 survivors of endometrial cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. There are also many options for treatment.
8. Types of treatment
There are many ways to treat endometrial cancer, and a different course of action may be chosen depending on the patient's age, other health problems they might have, personal preference in regard to the side effects that may accompany certain courses of treatment and stage and grade of the cancer.
The American Cancer Society suggests the following as the most common forms of treatment:
Surgery, such as a hysterectomy, is the main treatment for most women
Radiation treatments
Vaginal brachytherapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone treatment
Surgery is often used in conjunction with other courses of treatment, like radiation and chemo. As always, please check with your doctor about risks and side effects associated with all of the above.
Endometrial cancer may not be talked about enough now, but let's work on changing that. By bringing awareness about the risk factors and symptoms of this treatable uterine malady, we can help save lives.
The alt-right has only been emboldened by Donald Trump's win, and some celebrities are already the target of their hate-filled attacks.
Anti-Semitic, racist, sexist, xenophobic and homophobic attacks are on the rise since last week's presidential election, fueled by the hate-filled rhetoric spewed by Trump and confirmed by his appointment of alt-right godfather Stephen Bannon as his chief strategist.
Anderson Cooper has experienced an uptick in homophobic comments.
Anderson Cooper homophobic tweets
Anderson Cooper homophobic tweets
The sexist, racist trolls keep coming for Leslie Jones.
Leslie Jones racist tweets
Leslie Jones racist tweets
Lena Dunham has been told to leave the country… while being body-shamed.
Lena Dunham hate tweets
Lena Dunham hate tweets
And speaking of Amy Schumer, the anti-Semites are out in full force for her too.
Amy Schumer anti-Semitic tweets
Amy Schumer anti-Semitic tweets
Oprah is getting hit with incredibly racist slurs, like this one.
Oprah slurs
Oprah slurs
Trump asked his supporters to stop their attacks during his 60 Minutes interview last night, but since his entire campaign was built around such rhetoric, it seems unlikely.
On Monday, a judge ordered that Dassey be released immediately while an appeal is pending that seeks to keep him behind bars. Though he'll be freed from prison, the ruling comes with a number of stipulations: Dassey can only travel within the district of Wisconsin's Eastern court, he can't get a passport, and he's not allowed to possess a gun or any controlled substance. He's also been ordered not to have any contact with his uncle, Making a Murderer subject Steven Avery, or the family of Teresa Halbach, the woman he was convicted of helping to kill.
In August, a federal judge made the ruling that Dassey's confession to helping his uncle with the crime was coerced by police. Dassey, who was 16 years old at the time, can be seen on tape recordings on the Netflix series being promised by police that "you don't have to worry about things" and things would be "OK" if he told them about the murder, which the judge says constitutes an unfair promise of leniency.
Wisconsin's attorney general has since appealed the judge's ruling and seeks to overturn it and keep Dassey in prison, where he's been for more than a decade. He says that Dassey voluntarily answered police questions after being informed of his rights and that he supplied details about the murder in response to open-ended questions, which isn't what the documentary shows.
As the appeal works its way through the courts, Dassey has remained in prison, despite his conviction being overturned.
Of all the people that deserve a huge token of our love during the holiday season, our kids' teachers rank pretty high up on the list. Though they are held responsible for molding the minds of America's youth, teachers are often overworked and underpaid. That doesn't mean they aren't appreciated — we just don't always know the perfect way to show them how much they mean to us.
That's why the holidays are an amazing opportunity to make teachers feel special, and you'll be on the path to doing so with a great gift.
Here are almost three dozen budget-friendly gifts that are sure to have your child's teacher smiling. They make for amazing holiday presents, but most will work for a treat all year round.
It is hard to go wrong with getting your child's teacher a gift card; however, I love this idea of a gift card bouquet from The Cul-De-Sac blog. This would be perfect if you are doing a gift from the entire class or if several of you are going in on this together. Pick up gift cards from your teacher's favorite stores and restaurants and glue them onto a paper flower attached to a stick. Insert the sticks into floral foam that is placed in a colorful pail. Paint the words, "Thank you for helping us grow," for a great finishing touch.
If the gift card bouquet would be too expensive, you can never go wrong with a gift card to her favorite restaurant, Target, grocery store or Amazon. For middle school kids who have multiple teachers, buying $5 Starbucks gift cards with a thank-you note attached would also be appreciated.
2. School supply bouquet
Image: SheKnows
This inventive school supply bouquet is the perfect way to set your teacher up with all the best supplies.
Teachers are always sending notes home for parents… often saying what a model student your child is (wink, wink). She will undoubtedly appreciate having this cute personalized notepad to deliver her notes in style. Pick up this Apple A Day Notepad for around $15 at Shutterfly. (Shutterfly, $15)
Both male and female teachers will appreciate a gift certificate to the local movie theater. You can slip the movie gift cards into a thank-you note — or you can get creative with this idea from Skip to My Lou and put the movie gift cards into this cute striped fry box (she includes a free printable template) as well as a tag that says, "Thanks for making me feel like a Star." Then fill the box with some of his or her favorite goodies to take to the movies.
Help your amazing teacher remember all off those special field trips, performances and other special moments by creating a photo book. You can either print out the photos and put them into a photo album, or upload your photos online. Shutterfly allows you to upload photos and add text, as well as incorporate cool backgrounds and layouts. They have five sizes of photo books starting at $13. (Shutterfly, $13)
Make grading papers a little easier by gifting your teacher with grading stamps. You can pick up generic stamps that say things like, "Good job!" or "A+" or "Needs improvement," or you can personalize them with her name, such as this personalized self-inking stamper. (Personalization Mall, $25)
Does your teacher also have a green thumb? She will love this gift idea from Silly Pearl, in which she gifted her kids' teachers with tomato seedlings from her own garden. Print tags that say, "Thank You for helping me Grow!" Silly Pearl includes a free printable on her website. She simply placed the seedlings in Jiffy Pots and wrapped the pots with fabric. You can get all the details on her website.
An automatic pencil sharpener will get lots of use in the classroom, so why not give your teacher one with a little personality? Kids will love gifting this Walking Robot Pencil Sharpener to their favorite teacher. (Amazon, $13)
Monogrammed stationary is not only a thoughtful gift, it is practical as well. You can choose to just have their initials for a clean and simple look, or have their entire name monogrammed. You can pick up a set of classic monogrammed bordered note cards for $52 at Paper Style. (Paper Style, $52)
Every teacher will appreciate school supplies, since many times they have to purchase these items out of their own paycheck. Some items that are frequently requested include glue sticks, markers, crayons, notepads, antiseptic wipes, tissues, paper clips, erasers and pencils. Fill these items in a colorful bin or basket (that can also be used in the classroom) so she will be ready for the next year of school.
From the stacks of papers to grade to planners and more, teachers have a lot of things to tote. Help your favorite teacher tote her stuff in style by gifting her with a personalized tote bag. One great option is the personalized tote bag from Lands' End (starting around $25) where you can choose from various sizes, colors and designs. (Lands' End, $28)
If your teacher has a cause that is near and dear to her heart, perhaps you can consider making a donation to the charity in her honor. Your favorite science teacher may appreciate your child adopting a sea creature in her name, or perhaps the art teacher has a favorite charity that supports arts in the school. Find out what is important to your teacher. Give her the donation slip, letting her know a donation has been made in her name, along with a thank-you note.
20. Class thank-you notes
Image: SheKnows;Getty Images
This gift is sure to bring tears to every teacher’s eyes! Slip in during lunch or pick a day when there is a substitute teacher and pass out note cards to the entire class. Have them write a thank-you note that includes their favorite memory of the year or what they love about the teacher. Place the note cards in a photo album, along with a class picture, for a gift she is sure to treasure.
Frame the class picture in an autograph frame and have the entire class sign the photo for a thoughtful and memorable keepsake. Stores like Target, Walmart and Michaels all have autograph frames for a reasonable price. (Walmart, $29)
Your teacher already has a million coffee mugs, so gift her with something she can use throughout the day such as a water bottle. She will love the colorful sleeve of this Lifefactory glass water bottle which is BPA-free — and the plastic taste that often goes along with having a plastic water bottle. (BackCountry, $20)
Teachers use clipboards a lot. Add a little pizazz to her boring run-of-the-mill clipboard by giving her one that has her name on it. We love this "Teachers Change the World" personalized clipboard from Script and Scribble. (Script and Scribble, $38)
Brighten up her classroom with these adorable flower pots, which you can have personalized with her name or add a sweet quote, such as "Where children bloom" or "A place to grow." Add her favorite flowers or plants for the gift that keeps on giving. (Personalization Mall, $29)
Your teacher will surely get lots of use out of this practical and sweet gift. This personalized key ring includes a charm with the teacher's name, as well as a stamped apple with the grade that he or she teaches. You can pick up a personalized key ring at Lilly Ellen Designs. (Lilly Ellen Designs, $20)
Is your teacher trying to build up his or her homeroom classroom? Ask the teacher for an idea of what kind of books are needed and have each person in the class buy one book. Place them all in a gift basket for a thoughtful gift that can be used for years to come.
Help your teacher keep track of his or her lesson plan with this cute and practical Personalized Red Tassel Apple Bookmark. This would be a great idea for your child's tutor or classroom helper as well! (Personalization Mall, $16)
This is the perfect teacher gift for your older child that has multiple teachers. This Teacher Appreciation Box is full of delicious See’s Candies chocolates and features a package that shows your appreciation. For only $6, this is a sweet and budget-friendly way to give thanks for their hard work. (See’s Candies, $6)
The holidays are the perfect time to up the ante and give your child's teacher a nice piece of jewelry that she or he will wear all year long. This handmade cuff bracelet from Etsy is simple and understated -- but it gets the message across. Teachers, no one else can do what you do as well as you do. We really, really appreciate you. (Etsy, $15)
What do you get for the teacher who has a whole pile of presents on her desk? This adorable #1 Teacher ornament will be a fun take-home for winter break -- reminding her how much her students care and how they want "s'more" of her good teaching. Hokey puns aside, this ornament is pretty darn cute. (Amazon, $15)
Image: Becci Burkhart/SheKnows
Originally published April 2016. Updated November 2016.
I guess after the results of the presidential election, this shouldn't really be a surprise. The Cosby Show reruns are returning to TV because a whole bunch of people are apparently not concerned about Bill Cosby's ongoing rape trial — at least, not when it interferes with their viewing pleasure.
Bounce TV, one of the networks that yanked Cosby's famous sitcom from the air when sexual abuse allegations started mounting against him last year, just announced that they'll restore the show to airwaves before the end of the year.
You asked, and we heard you loud and clear, Bouncers," the network tweeted. "We’re bringing back The Cosby Show by popular demand!"
Cosby has been accused of rape and sexual assault by more than 50 women. He was finally charged by a Pennsylvania district attorney late last year, and now faces three counts of indecent aggravated assault in relation to claims made by former Temple University employee Andrea Constand that Cosby drugged and raped her in 2004.
Constand's case is the only one that could have Cosby headed to trial, though his lawyers are doing everything they can to prevent it from getting to that point. Most recently, they submitted a brief to the court saying that because Cosby is legally blind, he's unable to identify the women who are accusing him of assault.
"How can a 79-year-old blind man defend himself against a claim that he sexually assaulted someone he supposedly met once, half a century ago?" Cosby's lawyers wrote. "The answer is simple: He cannot, and the Commonwealth knows he cannot… Without his eyesight, Mr. Cosby cannot even determine whether he has ever even seen some of his accusers, let alone develop defenses and gather exculpatory evidence. Moreover, Mr. Cosby’s memory has substantially declined in the last decade."
I have always been a perfectionist. In everything I do. If I was going to run, I wanted to be the fastest. I wanted to win the race and qualify for the Boston Marathon. If I was going to have a baby, I was going to do it in the healthiest way possible, without drugs, and nurse the longest. I wanted to master everything, be the thinnest, write for the best publications, go to the best schools and win all the points. No matter what. Anything less made me feel like crap.
But perfection is exhausting. It's fine to want to be the best, but the pursuit of it can feel less like you are doing the things you enjoy and more like you are torturing yourself. The running that used to feed my soul became a chore so painful, I'd often puke after speed training and bleed from friction during my long runs. And rather than feel empowered, I felt demoralized, like I should have been faster, stronger and better.
And forget being perfect in parenting. That's just a ridiculous ask. No matter what I wanted, my kids wanted something else. Keeping the house clean became a joke. And eventually, I had to give up. Perfection? Never. I just couldn't do it anymore. And once I surrendered, some funny things happened:
1. I started enjoying
I have three kids and four pets. My house will never be spotless. There will always be a mess somewhere. Once I stopped caring about that, I was able to embrace the people in the house more. I noticed their smiles and jokes and cared less about their messy lunches all over the table.
2. I became more grateful
When I stopped to actually smell the roses (and stopped caring how they were arranged), I learned to let them into my life more. I slowed down and noticed the simple pleasures. The way the cushions feel beneath me when I sit down to eat, the way the perfume smells when I put it on my wrist, the way the flowers my kids picked for me look in their little vase. Instead of worrying about the hurry I was in or the work that needed to be done or the dirt the kids tracked in the house with the flowers, I noticed the beauty of the moments and was grateful for them.
3. I got more done
Once I stopped wasting time on perfect nails or hair, I started spending that same time working on my yoga and my handstands and playing with my children — the things that make me actually happy, not the things that make me “look” happy.
4. I got more fit
For me, qualifying for the Boston Marathon was a driving force in my life for years. I wanted “perfection” in running. But there is no such thing. I came awfully close when I ran a 3:48 marathon, but once I let go of that time goal, I also discovered cross training and yoga. Both of which have changed my life — and my fitness — for the better.
5. I found real, true love
I decided early on that I wasn’t looking for a “perfect on paper” mate. I was looking for a perfect for me one. There is a difference. When I found him, it was like a puzzle piece snapping into place. Perfect for me? Yes. Perfect in general? No. Letting go of the laundry list of shallow concerns helped me focus on the things that matter — how he looked at me, how he made me feel, how he listened to me and held my hand. Ivy League schools and high salaries matter a lot less than those things.
6. I discovered my true style
“Perfect” style is about living up to some Pinterest- or Instagram-worthy look. My style is something else. I only found the slouchy, relaxed, bohemian look I favored when I gave up on being Martha Stewart's wannabe cousin.
7. I started to really live
Everything that matters in our life isn’t perfect. Trains get delayed. Weddings get rained on. Children stumble. I wasted a lot of time trying to be perfect and forgetting to enjoy anything but the goal. Once I gave up the ghost and started actually taking pleasure in the moments rather than the end game, I realized the truth: I was missing everything while trying to reach something unattainable. My only shot at really living was to allow myself to be a little messy, a little crazed and a lot more real.
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he will be appointing Steve Bannon, the Trump campaign CEO and former executive chairman of Breitbart News as his chief strategist and senior counselor. Unfamiliar with Bannon? Here’s what you need to know about him (even if you don’t really want to).
1. He transformed Breitbart News into an alt-right destination. Prior to Bannon’s taking over as executive chairman in 2012, Breitbart News was fashioned as a “Huffington Post of the right.” Once the site was under his direction, Breitbart began catering to people on the far right for whom white nationalism is a key tenet. Per HuffPo, “The website traffics in misogynist and racist stories; it frames women who push back against harassment or gender bias as weak and incompetent and portrays people of color and immigrants as inherently criminal.” Earlier this year Breitbart’s editor-at-large quit in protest of the site siding with the Trump camp over its own reporter Michelle Fields after she accused then-Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski of assault.
2. He suggested that black Americans are “naturally aggressive” and that those who get shot by police “deserve it.” Here, you can read it for yourself in his own words from a July 2016 post.
4. On the other hand, white nationalists are super-psyched about his nomination. As the Southern Poverty Law Center reports, among many other fans of Bannon’s appointment, Ken Reed, the national director of the neo-Nazi group Aryan Renaissance Society, posted a story about the appointment to Facebook with the comment, “Can you say WINNING boys and girls???” including the hashtags #WhiteLivesMatter and #AltRight.
5. He’s been accused of anti-Semitism.Earlier this summer the New York Daily Newsreported that Bannon’s ex-wife, Mary Louise Piccard claimed that Bannon didn’t want the couple’s twin daughters attending an elite Los Angeles school because of the number of Jewish students there. "He said that he doesn't like the way they raise their kids to be 'whiny brats' and that he didn't want the girls going to school with Jews," Piccard wrote.
6. David Duke is a big fan of Bannon’s. Duke is a former one-term Louisiana state representative with the dubious distinction of being the nation’s most high-profile former Ku Klux Klan member. In response to Bannon’s hire, Duke (who is also a Holocaust denier) said on his radio program, “I think that’s a good sign because I think Mr. Bannon has really been right on about a lot of issues facing European-Americans.”
7. His appointment was a political maneuver. On Sunday, Trump also announced that Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, would be his chief of staff. This news displeased Trump’s grassroots supporters who never forgave Priebus for having the temerity to criticize Trump during the campaign. The New York Times points out that in Trump’s statement, Bannon was named first and that Bannon was reassured that Trump, not Priebus, was his boss. “I probably would have preferred Bannon as chief-of-staff and Priebus as press secretary,” writes Andrew Anglin at his neo-Nazi website Daily Stormer.
9. He’s Seinfeld rich. After serving in the Navy and doing well in mergers and acquisitions at Goldman Sachs, Bannon bought a share of royalties of Seinfeld back in 1993 and enjoys the payouts from it to this day, according to The New Yorker. It’s a little ironic that the Bannon’s pockets are lined with profits from a show about a liberal Jewish comic. Keep this in mind next time you’ve got TBS mindlessly blaring in the background.
10. You can join his many critics and speak up. Don’t just get angry. Speak up. While the Senate cannot block Bannon’s appointment, its individual members can voice their constituents’ concerns and, ideally, convince Trump that this choice is too alienating to stand. Call your senators and representatives and urge them to make a statement reflecting your outrage. You can also contact Speaker of the House Paul Ryan’s office at 202-225-3031 and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell at 202-224-2541.
Don’t be intimidated — it is their offices’ job to listen to you and make sure your voice is heard.
When a couple gets pregnant, often there is one partner who is already in the ‘parenting mindset’ before the other. As an adoption consultant, I see the same thing in the adoption process. In fact, it would be unusual for two people to have the exact same outlook at the exact same time. It’s more typical for one spouse to be comfortable moving ahead with adoption before the other one. I speak to many prospective parents who are not emotionally on the same page during the process — or, sometimes, even when the baby is placed with them. To help parents overcome the early challenges of adoptive parenthood, here are some tips to help motivate each other.
Early in the adoption process
Early in the process, your viewpoints on being a parent might not match. Likewise, one of you may feel like you are doing all the paperwork and all the effort required for adoption while your spouse is disinterested in the nitty gritty details. If you are experiencing this, here are some tips to help you communicate with your spouse.
1, At the start, commit to being honest with each other and really listening to each other's perspective. This should be done without a predetermined ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision about moving forward.
2. If you find yourselves having trouble communicating throughout the process, consider going to couples counseling with someone that both of you can trust. Each partner needs to feel that a therapist is not taking sides or trying to pressure anyone into a certain decision. A reputable therapist won’t do that, so do your homework first before selecting someone.
3. Accept that one spouse might not be as motivated to do all the work to prepare for adoption. The more motivated partner might need to shoulder a bit more of the paperwork. It is important, however, to confirm there is a certain level of shared commitment about parenting. If not, there will be resentment that could jeopardize the relationship and the child's experience.
After the adoption placement
It can be a difficult adjustment after your baby has been placed with you. If one or both spouses are having trouble adjusting to parenting and/or bonding with the child, there are some things you can do to help your spouse grow into their role.
1. Make sure each partner has time to recharge and feel connected to his or her friends. No matter how you came to be a parent, having that pre-baby normalcy is very important to emotional well-being for everyone in the home. This could include going to the gym regularly, getting decent sleep some nights, and/or occasionally grabbing a bite or a drink with a friend.
2. If you’re lucky enough to have available and willing grandparents, take advantage of that benefit and get them involved! They would love to spend quality time with their new grandchild. Have grandparents come over to watch your baby while you shower, do laundry, or just watch a movie together. Dropping your baby off with grandparents is also a great way to take a guilt-free break and transition into parenthood. If family isn't nearby, line up a part-time nanny who can take some burden off.
3. Have a date night! You need that couple time to keep the romance alive and to continue communicating without the stress of parenting interrupting what you want to say to each other.
Throughout the entire process, remember that it’s OK to not be in complete alignment every step of the way. It can even lead to healthy conversations during which you may both learn some new perspectives. But the key is to keep communicating. Even if you’re not on the same page, you need to both be reading the same book.
Nicole Witt is the owner of The Adoption Consultancy (www.TheAdoptionConsultancy.com), an unbiased resource serving pre-adoptive families by providing them with the education, information and guidance they need to safely adopt a newborn, usually within three to 12 months.
According to TMZ, Nida and his mystery lady began dating two years ago before Nida began his prison sentence in September 2014. This also means that he was dating his new fiancé before Nida and ex-wife Phaedra Parks had announced their divorce, which happened in 2015.
It also means that Phaedra may have led RHOA fans astray. According to Us Weekly, she said on her Bravo show, "I filed for divorce last year, and it has been a long, drawn-out process because Apollo has not wanted to get the divorce. I'm waiting for word on my divorce being final. I'm just hoping that we can get this resolved."
But if he had already moved on from Parks prior to their divorce filings then is Nida just a very, very confused man? Did he want an open relationship with Parks? Or is Nida, maybe, not the one who was holding on?
Whatever the reason, it seems that Nida is moving on with his life. He and his mystery lady reportedly got engaged a few months ago, TMZ reports.
The outlet is also reporting that the couple has shot some scenes for RHOA Season 9. According to TMZ, Bravo wants to keep the woman's identity under wraps until the episode airs, and Parks' reaction to the relationship will be shown.
Parks and Nida only recently finalized their divorce. They share two sons together, Ayden, 6, and Dylan, 3.
Criminal Minds writer Virgil Williams is sharing his side of the story in the Thomas Gibson drama that led to the actor being fired from the show after script disagreements led to a physical altercation between the two.
"He came to me with a line change that he wanted," Williams told People. "Because of this particular episode, the change that he wanted hurt the story. I offered him a fix. He didn’t accept the fix. He said, 'Fix it so I’m happy' and then walked off."
After the heated exchange, Williams said he was searching for showrunner Erica Messer to explain the situation when Gibson walked by and kicked Williams in the shin.
Gibson explains what happened differently, "He [Williams] came into that room and started coming towards me. As he brushed past me, my foot came up and tapped him on the leg. If I hadn’t moved, he would have run into me. We had some choice words, for which I apologized the next day, and that was it. It was over. We shot the scene, I went home – and I never got to go back."
Gibson was initially suspended from the show for two weeks because of the altercation but was later told he was dismissed from the series permanently. According to DailyMail, Gibson had three strikes against him, including the physical altercation.
Williams, who has previously been suspended from the Criminal Minds' set for raising his voice, did admit that despite the "hostile work environment," Gibson created, he will miss his character.
He said, "[The fans] got to watch him, but I got to write him."
We all love Blake Shelton and Adam Levine's bromance, but let's face it — The Voice needs a shakeup. Everybody loves to hate on Miley Cyrus, but she might not be the real problem. Perhaps, after years of Team Blake and Team Adam, the show could use a new country star, such as the amazing Garth Brooks.
Brooks certainly made an impression during tonight's episode. He acted as adviser, and wow, the feedback he offered was spot on! He told Aaron Gibson to engage more with the audience and suggested that Courtney Harrell go a bit breathier. These and other critiques clearly came from a place of love. Brooks believes that this season's artists have great potential, and he is eager to show them all that they are capable of achieving.
Image: NBC
At this point in the competition, the singers have received a lot of critiques in a short amount of time, not to mention, a lot of hate on social media. They really need someone who can build them up. The coaches are good at this (especially Alicia Keys), but nothing matches a motivational chat from Garth Brooks.
We're not alone in our adoration of Brooks. Twitter was abuzz tonight with compliments. Several fans claimed that The Voice would be far better with Brooks as a permanent coach. Others believe that, rather than replacing Blake, Brooks should work alongside him more often.
Garth Brooks tweet 1
Garth Brooks tweet 1
Garth Brooks tweet 2
Garth Brooks tweet 2
Garth Brooks tweet 3
Garth Brooks tweet 3
A few critics claim that Brooks is not exciting enough to be an adviser, but that's arguably what makes him so good. An adviser's chief role is not to attract attention with crazy antics, but rather, to provide feedback that artists can actually use — and to offer a few words of encouragement in the midst of a super competitive reality TV experience. Brooks accomplished exactly that, and he could do so much more if asked to join the show in a more extensive capacity.
Garth Brooks The Voice video
Garth Brooks The Voice video
It's not unheard of for advisers to take on an expanded role in later seasons, so there really is potential for Brooks to come back as a permanent coach. It's not likely, but hey — there's hope!
Would you like to see more of Garth Brooks on The Voice? Do you think there is any chance of him someday joining the fun as a full-time coach? Comment and share your opinion below.
Just because Donald and Ivana Trump haven't been married for over two decades now doesn't mean she isn't on the lookout for a piece of the presidential pie.
"I will suggest that I be ambassador for the Czech Republic," she explained.
Adding, "[That] is where I’m from and my language and everybody knows me. I’m quite known all around the world. Not only in America. I have written three books, and they were translated in 40 countries in 25 languages. I’m known by the name Ivana. I really did not need the name Trump."
Ivana and Donald were married for 15 years before calling it quits in 1992. They have three children together, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric.
But Ivana doesn't regret the split even now that her former husband is the president-elect. She said she isn't jealous of Donald's current wife, Melania Trump.
"I don’t have envy for Melania [because she has] to start to pack the clothes and everything," Ivana explained.
Ivana also values her privacy.
“I had the problems with The New York Times, who sued me to try to reopen my divorce documents from 26 years ago. And I’m not running for president of the United States. I’m just a citizen, and I have a right for privacy. I had enough of that."
Jolé was hands-down one of my favorite stars on Season 23. I know that Laurie Hernandez is a shoe-in for the Mirrorball Trophy win, but I still wanted to see Jolé make it to the finals. Her growth and her bravery this season was so much fun to watch.
Even Tom Bergeron couldn't hide his sadness at her elimination.
"When people ask me in future interviews who are my favorite people we’ve had on the show, your name is on that list now my dear," Bergeron told Jolé.
Not to mention, Jolé and her pro partner Sasha Farber earned two perfect scores for their dances tonight. They killed it! Only to be sent packing...
Terra Jole DWTS semifinals performance
Terra Jole DWTS semifinals performance
During the episode, Jolé told host Erin Andrews, "Sasha has been extremely supportive throughout this entire process and honestly, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Sasha. And I’m just so grateful. I’m so grateful to have him as my partner."
Stefani was honored with the Woman of the Year Award Monday night in Hollywood, where she held back tears as she thanked her family — and especially her parents — for helping her reach that point.
"I just want to say that I was on my way here, driving, by myself in the limo, and I was like, 'What!? How did this happen to me? How did I get here? How did this happen this year?'" she said. "I was thinking back and I was thinking about my parents, who loved me the most out of anyone, and they planted a seed within me when I was a little girl, and it was a seed of faith."
She also spoke again about her divorce from Gavin Rossdale a year and a half ago, and how far she's come since then thanks to her love of music and the support she's received from her family and her boyfriend, Blake Shelton.
"I was in a pool of tears, and I was so disappointed, and I was so low that I didn't think there was any way I could pick myself back up," she said. "And I remembered God gave me that gift [of music]. I knew I was chosen to do that. So I basically started pouring my heart into music, and music has saved my life... I'm so honored to be able to share my story and exchange that love back and forth [with my fans]."
She continued, "I just want to say thank you to my parents for that gift of faith. I want to say thank you to everyone who ever listened to my music. I am so honored and grateful. To my children, to my family, to Blake Shelton for kissing me back to life, thank you so much. I am blown away, I'm blown away by this room of unbelievable courage. It's unbelievable to be here tonight. I am really, really grateful."
