With my first son, I couldn't bear the thought of going back to work and leaving him. So I didn't. Instead, I stayed home for a year and freelanced a bit. At the time, our bills were low enough that my husband and I could get by without two full-time incomes. But when my daughter was born, that wasn't an option. Between rising costs and increased expenses, I had to return to work.

I found that going back to work was something best done without thinking about it. In the weeks leading up to my return, I lined up a daycare, talked to my son a little about heading back to daycare and otherwise went about my daily business of caring for two kids. And when the day came, rather than stress about it, I just dropped the kids off, made sure they were comfortable and went on my way.

In the office, I was greeted warmly by my excited coworkers who said that they were thrilled to see me back. There were hugs and well wishes and requests to see the baby... but as an emotional new mom, it's hard not to read too far between the proverbial lines.

My coworkers really meant well as they welcomed me back. But even the most well-meaning comments can be hard for a new mom to take. Here are a few comments you might face, as well as some responses you can be ready with.

You want to say: Glad? I just left my two kids at a new daycare and came here. In heels. Of course not!

Real potential answer: It's not bad. It's nice to have adult company and conversations. But don't freak if I slip a ’goo-goo-cootchie-coo-coo’ into conversation.

You want to say: Are you freakin' kidding me? What do you think?

Real potential answer: Well, leaving your child is never easy.

You want to say: I gave birth to the sweetest little person who I've been cuddling on the couch with for the last three months — and watching all my favorite daytime shows too. Definitely not.

Real potential answer: Work is a fun challenge, so it's nice to be able to do it again.

You want to say: Thanks for the guilt trip.

Real potential answer: I know what you mean, it's not easy. But with the economy the way it is, it's a choice of return to work or go without food.

You want to say: Of all the stupid things to say! Are you trying to upset me?

Real potential answer: It's not easy, but I am doing OK so far. Thanks.

You want to say: Wow. Way to make me feel useful around here. Does that mean that I'm not necessary anymore? Do I need to worry about my job?!?

Real potential answer: That's good to hear. I'm glad to be back. What can I help with so that the duties are more evenly distributed again?

Read more about working motherhood

Labor after delivery: Working versus staying home
Back to work: Surviving the first month
Breastfeeding and returning to work

Brad Paisley explains motorboatin'

So there's this song. It's called "Pontoon," and it's by the band Little Big Town. Everybody and their brother has been singing it all summer long, which makes for a lot of fun when one of the main lyrics is "Out here in the open, mmmm motorboatin'." For those of you who know what "motorboatin'" is slang for, you likely snicker inside when that lyric crosses your lips. If you didn't know what it meant going into the CMAs last night, well... you do now. Not only did Brad jokingly call out the band for singing such suggestive lyrics, he also explained the act to sweet co-host Carrie Underwood — complete with sound effects and facial gestures. Clearly, Brad and his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, know how to keep the romance alive.

Tim McGraw heats up the stage

There's no denying it was pretty damn hot when Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Eric Church rocked the stage together to start the show. But, hey, was it really that much of a surprise that those three, whether onstage together or alone, would make us swoon? Eh, not so much. What was a pleasant surprise, however, was Tim McGraw's performance of his new song "One of Those Nights." And, let us just say, yes it was... one of those nights where we are reminded just how smokin' hot the veteran country crooner is. Faith Hill, you are one lucky lady. Oh yeah, the song was nice too.

"Gangnam Style" goes country

Brad and Carrie have hosted the CMA Awards for five years running now, so how did the pair decide to shake things up this year? For starters — despite Carrie's warning that he "hurt himself last time" — Brad slapped on a pair of shades signature to South Korean pop singer PSY and busted out dance moves to the explosively viral hit "Gangnam Style." After a few bars, Carrie gave in and joined her co-host as they polished off the song with their countrified take on the choreography. Extra props have to go to Carrie here, who managed to keep a straight face and not fall on said face while hopping around in sky-high stilettos and a minidress.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood glove up to induce Jennifer Nettles' baby

With super pregnant Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles sitting close to the stage, Brad and Carrie brought attention to the glowing gal’s baby bump more than once. Jaws dropped, however, when Brad and Carrie slipped on some latex gloves and suggested what this awards show really needed to amp up the ratings was a live birth via induction. They then unveiled their "crack team of doctors," which included three sexy nurses towering over Grand Ole Opry member/Country Music Hall of Famer Little Jimmy Dickens.

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert get emotional

When husband-and-wife team Blake and Miranda won Song of the Year for "Over You," the rarely serious pair displayed a shocking moment of sentimentality. With Miranda crying and Blake fighting back tears, Blake managed to choke out what it meant to win this particular award, since they wrote the song in honor of his late brother and under the advice of his late father. And, of course, the pair adorably showered each other with heartfelt thanks and affection. All together now... awwwwwwww. The sweethearts were back to their typically rascally selves by show’s end, though, when — during his Male Vocalist of the Year speech — Blake admitted to throwing back a few brewskies. Miranda, meanwhile, eloquently started her Female Vocalist of the Year speech with "Holy crap."

More on the 2012 CMAs

CMA Awards winners: Shelton, Lambert an unstoppable duo
Top 6 best dressed at the 2012 CMA Awards
5 bad boys of the CMAs

Images courtesy of Getty Images

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley make hosting the 2012 CMA Awards look easy. The superstar duo resumed their hosting duties Thursday night for a fifth time — and we have to say, they hit their peak early.

The pair wasted no time in making references to current goings-on in country music, including some good "Gangnam Style" dance moves, and of course, some good ole-fashion motorboatin'.

Top 6 worst dressed at the 2012 CMA Awards >>

You motorboatin' son of a…

One of the running jokes of the night was the meaning behind "motorboatin'" in Little Big Town's hit song "Pontoon." Paisley "didn't know" about motorboating until the band told him about it.

"Too bad Dolly isn't here tonight," he joked, referring to the buxom Dolly Parton.

"Thank God Dolly isn't here tonight!" Underwood joked back.

"Oh my stars, Brad Paisley, you just told my mama what motorboatin' is," Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman said as she accepted the award for Single of the Year.

Paisley wasn't about to let the joke drop after that.

"By the way, Kimberly, your grandmother unfriended me on Facebook. And she wants you to call her."

Top 6 best dressed at the 2012 CMA Awards >>

Poor Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift might be flying high, thanks to the success of her new album Red, but she was shut out of all her nominated categories. You can't win 'em all, Taylor. Still, her superstar status didn't keep Underwood and Paisley from making fun of her revolving list of boyfriends — including her recent breakup with Conor Kennedy.

"The greatest trade of the year had to be the Kennedy family. They somehow traded Arnold Schwarzenegger for Taylor Swift," Paisley deadpanned to the crowd, including Swift, who was sitting in the front row. "I mean, what they got for that..."

Clay Walker goes gaga over his wife on the red carpet >>

Underwood soon cut him off to tell him of their sad breakup.

"What? Why don't I ever hear about these things?" Paisley said. "I'm the last one to know."

"Are they ever gonna get back together?" he asked.

"Never, never, never," Underwood replied. "Never ever."

Why Carrie and Brad work so well together

Underwood recently told reporters that their rapport onstage is the the same as it is offstage.

Dustin Lynch reveals the real reason he plays guitar >>

"He's not a different person in front of the camera and a whole different person away from the cameras," she said. "He is the way you think he is. It's really great to see how somebody has balanced family life and doing this, you know, being in our crazy world."

Image courtesy WENN.com

What was your favorite moment at the 2012 CMA Awards?

5 Tips for talking to kids about disasters

This week, we spent a lot of time — much of it sweetened by candy — celebrating a holiday that laughs in the face of fear.

Stranger than any horror movie or fake front-yard cemetery is that millions of people on our country’s East Coast have been dealing with the real fears brought on by a catastrophic storm and its aftermath.

Contributed by Gregory Keer, Family Man

In the wake of all this are questions and the continued worries of children. Those who endured Hurricane Sandy may have nightmares reliving the flooding, the howling winds, and the destruction of their homes, schools and parks. Still more children wonder if anything like that will happen to them.

So it is up to parents to rise from whatever wobbly state the physical and/or emotional devastation may have caused. We must answer the questions of those we have compacted to soothe and protect.

Will I be safe if this happens again?

For kids who were directly touched by the storm, a big question will be if the next disaster might hurt them even more. For young ones who only learned of the disaster, they will wonder if they will be safe if something like this happens to them. In both cases, parents should answer simply and directly — “I will keep you safe.”

While you know you cannot guarantee them safety, they need to hear that there is no doubt that you will do so. You may want to explain some of the ways you will protect them , but what counts most is that they know you are in charge of this basic worry.

Are you scared?

It’s important to acknowledge that being scared is normal for anyone, but this is more about your kid than you, no matter how fearful you were, are or will be. Make sure to remain calm so that your child does not sense your own fear. It’s especially hard if you are dealing with your own emotions of a disaster, so try to speak with other adults before you address your child so you can collect your thoughts. Hugs and comforting touch, sometimes more important than words but certainly in addition to them, will aid in soothing an anxious young person.

Why did this happen?

This is one of the most overwhelming questions because it involves trying to explain how nature works. Nature can give and it can take away. The essential thing is to point out that the vast majority of people do not die or get hurt by nature and, when bad things do happen, we rebuild and move forward. If you wish to get more into detail, this is a perfect teaching moment to research and explain the workings of such phenomena as hurricanes, snow storms and earthquakes.

Can I help the people who got hurt?

A great way for children to gain a sense of control is to lead them to help others. Guide them to charities , houses of worship that are acting to assist the affected, even neighborhood or school food or clothing collection efforts so they can take part in making others feel better in a terrible time.

Can I ask more questions?

If at any point you can’t fully respond to a question your child may have, tell him or her that you will get them an answer . If you choose to allow your kid to watch, listen, or read the news, do it together and in short amounts of time so they are guided and not overwhelmed.

Gregory Keer is an award-winning syndicated columnist, teacher and guest expert in national media. He and his wife have three sons. He can be reached at his fatherhood magazine, www.familymanonline.com.

More about talking to kids

Talking to kids about natural disasters
Talking to kids about strangers
Talking to kids about death

The USA Network has brought down the hammer of three of its shows. Political Animals, Fairly Legal and Common Law have all been canceled. Animals was described as a limited series event, while Fairly Legal had two seasons under its belt.

According to TVLine, Common Law was scrapped after just one season. The series starred Michael Ealy and Warren Kole as the "Odd Couple" of cops. Unfortunately, their weekly adventures weren't enough to bring in viewers. The show averaged around 2.1 million.

As for Fairly Legal, USA tried to lighten the blow with some positive news. Instead of focusing on the cancelation, the network wants us to know that star Sarah Shahi has a new job.

In a statement, USA said, "We are proud of Fairly Legal and thank the very talented cast and crew for two fantastic seasons. Sarah Shahi is undoubtedly a star and we're thrilled she'll be joining our sister network NBC on Chicago Fire."

Is that comforting to know?

Sigourney Weaver's Political Animals was a critical hit, but the ratings didn't deliver. It averaged 3.2 million a week, which wasn't enough to keep USA interested.

"We are proud of Political Animals, our miniseries that attracted critical acclaim and impacted the cultural conversation this summer," the network said in a statement. "It was a pleasure to work with Greg Berlanti and Laurence Mark and a powerful cast led by Sigourney Weaver. We look forward to collaborating again with these immensely talented creatives."

That's three shows down in a matter of 48 hours. Perhaps we should look on the bright side. These are gone, but USA announced return dates for Suits , White Collar and Necessary Roughness .

Which show will you miss the most?

Photo credit: HRC/WENN

According to a survey by financial site DailyWorth.com, 76 percent of women are their household's primary retirement planner. Women everywhere are stepping up to the plate when it comes to their savings, their spending habits and their future. Understanding finances and improving your financial knowledge is one of the best investments you can make.

Stocks and bonds

Essentially, stocks are purchasing and then owning a portion of a company. If the company does well, stock prices go up, and you can sell at a higher price than you purchased at. If there's a company you strongly believe in, and think that business will only get better, consider buying a few shares of their stock. In order to purchase stocks, you'll need to go through a brokerage firm unless you work for that company already.

Bonds are simply a debt security or an IOU. You lend money to a government or corporation, and they pay you back the face value plus the interest the bond earned during its life. Like stocks, bonds are purchased through brokerage firms. Keep in mind that most brokers require a minimum deposit of $5,000.

Equity

Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on your mortgage. Say your home is worth $250,000, but you only owe $175,000 on your mortgage, you have $75,000 of equity. It's the portion of your house that you actually own. Some people choose to take out a home equity loan, or taking out a loan against your house. They may use this money to pay off other debts, buy a boat or take a vacation. Home equity loans can be risky, though, because if the value of your home decreases, you are then upside down on your house.

More on finances

Investing mistakes to avoid
How to plan a home budget
5 Common money mistakes moms make

Has Evan Rachel Wood kissed her bisexual side goodbye since marrying Jamie Bell? Absolutely not, though that doesn't mean that nothing's changed since becoming a married woman.

Trying to figure out exactly how being married and bisexual works, one curious Twitter user recently tweeted to the True Blood actress, "Honestly not trying to be an a**. Just trying to understand. Does this mean you are not bi anymore? How does that work?"

With trademark honesty, Evan Rachel Wood replied with a wink, "No, it just means I am not single anymore. ;)"

Evan Rachel Wood is a bisexual Belieber >>

The 25-year-old told Esquire previously, "I was always into very androgynous things. Guys, girls... I'm into androgyny in general.

"I'm more of like the guy when it comes to girls. I'm the dominant one. I'm opening the doors, I'm buying dinner. Yeah, I'm romantic."

She later told Marie Claire that bisexuality is "a big part of who I am, and it always has been for as long as I can remember... I've honestly fallen in love with a man and I've honestly fallen in love with a woman... I don't know how you label that, it's just how it is."

Evan Rachel Wood confesses her lady love >>

Evan Rachel Wood, known to many for her portrayal of lesbian vampire queen Sophie-Anne on True Blood, is in good company with former co-star Anna Paquin — also a married bisexual.

Paquin wed Stephen Moyer in 2010, just four months after publicly coming out as bisexual.

In May of 2012 Paquin explained, "I'm someone who believes being bisexual is actually a thing. It's not made up. It's not a lack of decision. It's not being greedy or numerous other ignorant things I've heard at this point. For a bisexual, it's not about gender. That's not the deciding factor for who they're attracted to."

What do you think of Evan Rachel Woods' bisexuality explanation?

Image via WENN

It's a snap to make these great-tasting cereal bars! For a Gluten-free Friday, these are the perfect solution for when you're running out the door or need a pick-me-up snack.

Try these breakfast bagels with mascarpone, apples, blueberries and honey >>

Made of crunchy, gluten-free Chex cereal, toasted pumpkin seeds, dried Sun-Maid Cape Cod cranberries and apples, these bars make a great treat for the fall season. Switch up the ingredients and create new favorites!

Crunchy "anytime" cereal bars

Yields 16 bars

Ingredients:

• 3 cups gluten-free Chex cereal of your choice
• 1/3 cup toasted, salted pumpkin seeds
• 1/3 cup Sun-Maid Cape Cod dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup dried apples, diced
• 2-1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon gluten-free, all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Lightly spray a 9 x 9-inch baking dish with the nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine the cereal, pumpkin seeds, cranberries and apples in a large bowl and set it aside.
3. Use a small saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup and flour and mix well.
4. Cook until the mixture boils. Once it boils, stir it constantly, and cook for about another minute.
5. Remove the mixture from the heat and pour it over the cereal mixture. Toss well to coat.
6. Add the cereal mixture to the baking dish, and press it down firmly to fit evenly in the dish.
7. Cool the mixture completely, then cut into four by four rows.

These bars make the perfect snack!

More Gluten-free Friday recipes

Blueberry, banana and mint smoothie
Flatbread with rosemary and sea salt
Salted soft pretzels

No. 1 — First Position. You may not have heard of this movie, but you surely won't forget it. First Position combines passion and tenacity through the lens of culture, as aspiring dancers from all over the world do whatever it takes to earn their spot on stage. From young boys to teenage girls, the rich and the poor, ballet is the common thread of identity and purpose.

Rotten Tomatoes: 96% Fresh

No. 2 — Safety Not Guaranteed. From the producers of Little Miss Sunshine comes a heartwarming, self-proclaimed weirdo adventure that captures the power of believing. When a writer catches wind of a classified ad concerning a man who can time travel, he thinks he's found the perfect, crazy character for a story. Strangely enough, the man's wild claim teaches the writer and his band of interns invaluable lessons in trust, imagination and persistence.

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% Fresh

No. 3 — Ruby Sparks. When chronic writer's block causes a young author's career to stagnate, he begins to type up his dream girl. Then, he wakes up next to her. An incredibly original story, Ruby Sparks is an examination of love, imagination, human desire and getting what you asked for. If he can write up the girl, what will their final chapter together say?

Rotten Tomatoes:  94% Fresh

No. 4 — The Campaign. Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis get political. Anything goes in this political satire, as small-town politicians duke it out with the extremes to win the vote. Put the kids to bed, though — Cam Brady punches a baby, among a long list of other ridiculous antics. It may be stupid humor, but this movie illuminates the embarassingly low level that politics has stooped to these days.

Rotten Tomatoes: 66% Fresh

No. 5 — Polisse. International film lovers will rave about this French drama, which investigates the foreign Child Protection Unit and the youth they try to protect. The film does feature subtitles, but that's a small price to pay, considering the impact of this emotional experience.

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% Fresh

Frozen yogurt is the perfect sweet treat no matter what time of the year. This version is lightly-flavored with fresh pumpkin puree and Greek yogurt. If you don't have an ice cream maker don't worry! You can add the ingredients to a bag, put it in the freezer and give it a good stir every half hour until you reach the desired consistency. Healthy, easy, delicious and the perfect light ending to your Thanksgiving meal.

Pumpkin frozen yogurt recipe

Yields about 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vanilla or plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin puree
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and stir until combined.
2. Add the yogurt mixture to an automatic ice cream maker and churn until soft-serve consistency.
3. Place in freezer-safe container and freeze until hard and set.
4. If you do not have an ice cream maker add to large plastic bag, freeze and stir until frozen.
5. Optional: Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.

More yogurt recipes

5 layer yogurt dip recipe
Pineapple honey yogurt dip recipe
Chicken breast in light yogurt marinade recipe

Infertility issues for women

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 6.7 million women in the US are struggling with infertility. If you're one of them, you know the devastation every month when you get your period or when a missed period doesn't result in a positive pregnancy test.

It could be that you are simply missing your window of ovulation opportunity or it could be something more serious. Dr. Brandon Bankowski, MPH, a reproductive endocrinologist at Oregon Reproductive Medicine, shares with SheKnows five common medical reasons women have trouble getting pregnant and the treatments that can help

Age

Despite more women waiting until they are in their 30s or even 40s to get pregnant, women who are older can have more difficulties conceiving. "Ultimately, we know that the age of the egg is the most important factor in determining success in getting pregnant," Dr. Bankowski explains. "We have a number of simple tests such as the AMH and FSH blood tests and examination of the ovarian follicles by ultrasound that can give us an indication of the health of the ovaries and, subsequently, the chances of success at different ages."

Can you have a healthy pregnancy if you're over 40? >>

Undiagnosed medical issue

According to Dr. Bankowski, women are unaware of medical conditions, such as thyroid issues or diabetes, that can lead to infertility. The reproductive expert recommends talking to an infertility specialist about a blood panel that can detect potential underlying problems and prescribe a treatment plan, if necessary. "Some of the common health issues that have big negative effect on the chances of conceiving are under-functioning thyroid , obesity, and smoking," the endocrinologist explains. "You should see your primary care physician regularly and consult a specialist if you have any unique medical conditions which you feel may be affecting your fertility."

How your thyroid affects your fertility >>

Low sperm count

You've been tested for various conditions and the doctor can't find any medical reason why you aren't getting pregnant. What gives? Perhaps it's your husband. If your partner has low sperm count or low sperm mobility, it will lower your chances of getting pregnant. Dr. Bankowski says sperm count and mobility issues are common and that there are treatments that can result in successful conception. "In some cases, men may even be able to [impregnate] without medical assistance, but if conception does not occur, most mild sperm deficiencies can be treated with a simple intrauterine insemination ," he says. "This is a simple and inexpensive procedure in which a concentrated sperm sample is placed high in the uterus to get the sperm closer to the egg and increase the chances of conception." The doctor adds that more severe sperm abnormalities can be treated very successfully with advanced procedures including in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection .

Natural ways to combat infertility for women and men >>

More on women's reproductive health

Ways to protect your fertility
How ovulation is linked to courtship
How to chart your fertility

fitness review

Fun desk-side fitness

With your super-swamped schedule, multitasking is a must or your to-do list will never get done. Fitting in workouts is a high priority but you're finding it harder to find the time. What's a fit-minded working gal to do? Get the FitDesk and work out while you work.

I'm pedaling my desk as I write this. Seriously, I am. The FitDesk, an exercise bike with a desk platform on the handlebars, has quality where it counts—a wide, cushioned seat, reasonably smooth, belt-driven resistance and a sturdy steel frame.

Excellent customer service

Inventor Steve Ferrusi and co-founder Ryan Moore pay close attention to customer feedback , and are constantly making improvements. The bike I got my hands on is an early version of the 2013 model, and Ferrusi and Moore are already hard at work on updates to the desk cover and materials, plus increasing the bike's adjustability.

How much of a workout you can get while working on the FitDesk? My pedaling speed isn't constant. I slow down or even stop completely when focused intensely on something; guess I can't spare the extra brain cells to move my legs. It's easy to pedal fast if I'm just reading or composing a simple email, especially if I sit up straight. And if I'm feeling frustrated? It's me versus the bike, and we both come out winners. The FitDesk isn't quite a spin bike , but it's a great way to turn time at your desk into time with your sweat.

More tips to stay fit at work

The office workout
Secrets to healthy eating at work
Stress-busting, fat-burning tips for the office

Emily and Martin were a successful New York couple until Emily turned to a new prescription drug, Ablixa, that didn't exactly treat the anxiety it was prescribed for.

From the looks of the trailer, Jude Law plays the psychiatrist at the heart of everything, shackled to love, lust, profit, guilt and the havoc of a mysterious murder case.

Also making a return to the big screen in Side Effects is Catherine Zeta-Jones, who seems to act as some sort of voice of reason within it all, though it's not quite clear whose team she's on just yet.

Will they find the truth behind the drug's unintended consequences before the situation consumes them all? Go see the movie to find out — drugs and murder always make for a solid psychological thriller, don't they?

Side Effects slips into theaters Feb. 8.

Image Courtesy of Open Road Films

Mark Cuban is one man with the capacity to make our wildest dreams come true. Although time has run out on Donald Trump's $5 million offer to Barack Obama, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks is upping the ante!

Mark Cuban, who you may recognize as one of the investors on Shark Tank, is one billionaire who'd love to see Donald Trump's trademark bouffant go bye-bye. Putting his money on the table to try and make it happen, the 54-year-old has an offer for the Trumpster.

Donald Trump gives Obama a Hurricane Sandy extension >>

"The offer he made for $5 million, that was one of the dumbest things ever," Cuban said, ripping Trump's Obama stunt. "But I thought about responding to him."

Explaining what he's willing to give to see The Apprentice host take a pair of clippers to his curious hair poof, Mark Cuban told a Fox network affiliate, "Maybe I'll put up a million or two million if he'll shave his head. What do you think?"

Getting serious, Mark Cuban then looked straight into the camera and reiterated, "Donald, you shave your head, a million dollars to any charity you want."

Donald Trump's hair poof grooming secrets revealed >>

No word yet from Donald Trump regarding Mark Cuban's offer, despite his being quite active on Twitter, as usual.

Thursday, he tweeted, "President Obama missed the deadline!"

He went on to tweet Friday, "If I would have offered Obama a billion dollars to show his records, he would have refused."

A million, $5 million — a billion? There are some seriously high-stakes wagers happening here!

Do you think Donald Trump will take Mark Cuban up on his $1 million offer?

Image via WENN

It's party time!

Party season is not complete without tons of delicious foods! These simple dips are easy and perfect for your next party!

Parties and food go together like peas in a pod. You can't invite over a bunch of friends and not have tons of delicious food just waiting to be devoured! So, we gathered up the top three most delicious sounding dips and put them into one drool-worthy post!

First up is a warm, cheesy and spicy jalapeño popper dip!

Yields 8 x 8-inch dish

Ingredients:

• 2 packages cream cheese
• 3/4 cup mayonaise
• 1 cup colby jack shredded cheese
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 can fire-roasted chopped green chilies
• 8 ounces sliced jalapeño peppers
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a food processor add cream cheese, mayonaise, colby jack cheese, one-half cup of the Parmesan cheese, green chilies and jalapeños. Mix until combined. Don't process too long because you want to keep some of the jalapeño pieces chunky.
3. Add to 8 x 8-inch dish and set aside while you make the topping.
4. In a small bowl add other one-half cup Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs and melted butter. Mix until combined and sprinkle on top of filling.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes until topping is slightly browned. Serve hot with tortilla chips, fresh sliced bread or crackers.

Serves 6 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound hamburger
• 8 ounces pepper jack Velveeta cheese
• 2 cups shredded taco seasoned cheese
• 16 ounce jar chunky salsa
• 1 can Hormel chili with no beans

Directions:

1. Brown hamburger and drain the fat.
2. In the same skillet add remaining ingredients and heat through until melted and warm.
3. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

More dip recipes

Funfetti dip recipe
Veggies and dip in a baguette recipe
Five-layer Greek dip recipe

Lady Gaga somehow doesn't know that both her weight and Adele's weight have been headline news in the press. The costumed singer, who recently set about starting a body image revolution after being labeled "fat" in the tabloids, seems to believe she's the only one being picked on.

Addressing the way her weight gain played out in the press and in her personal life, 26-year-old Lady Gaga recently told Stylist.co.uk, "I was acutely aware of some photos on the Internet — my mom called me and was like, 'Did you gain weight?' — everybody was telling me about it, and I didn't really care."

"I thought, well I don't really care if they think I'm fat, because, quite honestly, I did gain about 30 pounds."

Lady Gaga fat? Papa Germanotta partly to blame >>

"Adele is bigger than me — how come nobody says anything about it?" Lady Gaga went on to ponder before dishing out a string of compliments about 24-year-old Adele.

"She's so wonderful, and I think her confidence is something I have to match," Gaga gushed of the songstress, who became a mom in October. "She has set the bar very high for a lot of women. I need to be a confident woman and just say politically active things when I can that are helpful to young people."

Adele doesn't think artists should be using sex to sell records >>

Not only did designer Karl Lagerfeld publicly call Adele "a little too fat" earlier this year, but news of her son's birth was met with a string of fat jokes and outright hate.

Twitter trolls inexplicably sent out messages speculating Adele's baby is "fat and handicapped," with one going so far as to say, "Just murder it already."

Always quick with a jab, Fashion Police host Joan Rivers tweeted, "Congratulations to Adele on the birth of her 68 pound 8 ounces bouncing baby boy."

Apparently unaware of the drama her fellow songstress has gone through as well, Lady Gaga closed the weight discussion by suggesting, "We should all make an effort to be nice to one another all the time."

Hear, hear!

Do you think Adele or Lady Gaga has received the worst of the weight scrutiny?

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You love your family, but sometimes everyday business can drain the fun out of being together. Here are six easy ways to put the fun back in your family.

How to put the fun back in your family!

Take turns

One simple way to increase your family fun is to make sure each member of the family contributes equally. Why not give each person the chance to decide on the family fun activity? You may be surprised at the simple things your kids propose. Make sure you agree to participate fully! That means Dad may be leading a dance party or Mom might take first in the video game tournament — whatever it may be, respect each person's interest and definition of family fun.

How to plan a kids-in-charge day >>

Be present

Too often, we miss out on the fun of simply being together because of those less important distractions. Dirty dishes, emails from work and mentally planning the next activity in the day are things that prevent us from enjoying the here-and-now. Make an effort to 'turn off' and focus on the people around you. Try to focus on the moment at hand — you will realize how much fun simply being together can be!

Read Parenting challenge: Turn off the tech >>

Celebrate the small things

Everyone loves a party. Why not take the time to celebrate simple milestones with each other? A good grade on a spelling test, a pet’s birthday, the first day of fall — it doesn't have to be an official holiday to get out the balloons! Simply create a holiday for something that is important to your family — perhaps it is as simple as “family fun night.”

Check out 50 family fun night ideas for families >>

Laugh

Do not underestimate the power of laughter! To increase the fun in your family, make sure you are laughing together. Author Liz Curtis Higgs says, “Laughing together heartily at the same thing forms an instant bond.” Be silly, watch a funny movie or chase your little ones around the house. Laughter lifts the spirits and is a guaranteed source and sign of fun!

Learn how to give your child the gift of humor >>

Do something good together

Doing good is a guaranteed way to increase positive feelings. Find something your family believes in and take action! Perhaps it's volunteering at the animal shelter or taking in a foster child — whatever your family values, put it to action. You will have fun as a family by making a positive contribution.

Volunteer with your kids: Projects to do together >>

Make the fun times last

Extend the fun by creatively documenting your family fun events. Use video, photographs or simply save souvenirs from your family events and activities. Mementos keep memories vivid, and making time to remember happy experiences together can even be a source of family fun.

Find creative ways to preserve family mementos >>

Read more about increasing your family fun

Bring your family closer together
Prioritizing fun as a family
5 Outdoor games for family fun

Say yes to the season

Family fun can be cheap when you plan activities around the season.

• Spring: As the weather warms up, take it outside! Go hiking, biking and walking. Plan a stargazing potluck with your neighbors and take in great food and a great show!
• Summer: The weather is perfect for a family fun campout in the backyard. Or plan a staycation that includes city pools, picnics in the park and movie nights outside.
• Fall: Take the family fun to local farms that are in prime shape for visitors. Find one that offers free or cheap activities like mazes, animal viewing and apple picking. Avoid highly priced farms that bring in the bounce-houses and go-karts.
• Winter: Embrace the chilly weather by staying home. Focus your family fun on memory-making by creating family movies. Enjoy some belly laughs over homemade popcorn and hot cocoa. Participate in local events surrounding Christmas: Help with craft time at the senior center or volunteer with the local food bank.

Say no to tourist traps

One of the greatest ways to save money when planning family fun is to avoid large, over-priced tourist traps. You will save lots of money and loads of time. Stephanie Nelson, from Couponmom.com, says, “Go online. Visit your local city websites to find free events, fairs, festivals, sporting events and performances.”

Say yes to nature

One of the most enjoyable family fun activities is simply getting outside! Visit local playgrounds, as well as state or national parks. Or go on a treasure hunt together and join Geocaching.com.

Say no to fried food

One of the easiest ways to go over-budget is by eating out. For family outings, pack a lunchbox or cooler. Splurge on a few family favorites from the store to take along. Those small treats pale in comparison to a restaurant bill. Make the homemade eating experience just as exciting as eating out by packing food to fit your activity. If you are going to a baseball game, pack the peanuts and popcorn in fun little bags!

Say yes to DIY

From woodworking to water play and carnivals to card-making, there are now more online tutorials on how to do it yourself than ever before. Ask each family member what they would like to make, and go online to find out how! The opportunities are endless and the process will be just as fun as the product!

For more ideas on family fun on a budget

Budget-friendly summer vacations
10 Family fun nights under $20
10 Frugal family fun ideas

The classic card game UNO is easy to learn and provides endless hours of family fun. Many of us grew up playing UNO because it's simple enough that kids in a wide age range can participate and play together on a fairly level playing field.

The rules

A standard UNO card deck has 108 cards in colored suits: blue, green, red and yellow. There are also action cards: Draw 2, Reverse, Skip, Wild card and Wild Draw 4 cards. Each player is dealt seven cards, with the remaining cards placed face-down in the middle of the table as the draw pile, and only the top card turned over to form the discard pile. Moving clockwise, players take turns putting a card on the discard pile. The discard must have the same number, color or wording as the top card on the discard pile unless a Wild card is discarded — in which case the player who played the Wild card can choose the color of cards to be played next. If a player can't discard, she draws a card and discards it if she can. If not, it's the next player's turn. When a player discards a Wild Draw 4 card, the next player must pick up four cards. When an action card is played, the next player must follow its instructions: The player may have to draw an additional two or four cards, or even skip a turn. When you have one card left, remember to say "UNO"— because if you forget and are caught by another player, your penalty is drawing two more cards! The game ends when one player is completely out of cards.

Tally the score based on the cards left among the remaining players. Add the totals of all cards left in each player's hand by counting the numeric value of the cards — Action cards count as 20 points, and Wild and Wild Draw cards count as 50 points each. The winner of each round gets all the points! Play until someone reaches 500 points.

A new twist

The basics of this favorite game are the same in UNO Roboto, but the robot adds loads of fun! There's a cute robotic character that sits in the middle of the table, ready to throw interesting twists and turns into the classic game. Before starting, each player can record his/her name. UNO Roboto also lets players record silly "house rules," and even offers funny suggestions for these. Anything from "make a fish face" to "hop on one foot for 15 seconds" adds an element of surprise and brings on the giggles when the robot suddenly calls out instructions during the game. This makes the game more unpredictable and different every time you play. With this new twist, you'll have a faster pace and more variation in your game. UNO Roboto is suitable for two to six players.

More tips

10 Active video games for the family
Best electronic toys for preschoolers
Fun themes for family game night

In preparation for the most highly-anticipated presidential election in U.S. history, here are the top politically correct wines to serve your guests at your election night gathering.

Political affiliation and wine preferences

According to the Wine Market Council, an industry leader in wine research and consumer consumption trends, your right wing or left wing affiliation is also symbolic of your choices for wine.

Expert wine and food picks for your election night entertaining

There is no doubt that election night will be a roller coaster of emotions — making an election night party an ideal way to spend the fretful undecided hours.

"Election night is all about abating anxiety and, ultimately, celebrating victory or consoling oneself or others in defeat," says Courtney Cochran, one of today's most recognized young sommeliers and author of Hip Tastes: The Fresh Guide to Wine, which won the 2007 Georges Duboeuf Wine Book of the Year award. "Your wine and food pairings should match these emotional highs, or they'll be lost in the ups and downs of the evening."

For the Republicans, Cochran recommends the following party pairings:

• A hearty cabernet sauvignon paired with lamb kabobs
• Sparkling wine and fried chicken
• An elegant pinot noir and cheese assortment

These recommendations not only pair impeccably, regardless of the occasion, they also offer a few bonuses for election night gatherings. The lamb kabobs and cheese tray can deliciously divert party-goers attention when tensions run high, and fried chicken — a quintessential American dish — is ideal for eating in front of the television when missing even a minute of the election is out of the question.

For the Democrats, Cochran recommends the following wine and food pairings:

• A sustainably-produced syrah paired with a wood-fired sausage and mushroom pizza
• An organic sparkling wine and a samosa and dosa platter
• A late harvest dessert wine paired with a cupcake assortment

Cochran says, "Pizza makes for a terrific casual meal to share with pals, especially when camping out in front of the tube." She also recommends the spicy samosa and dosa platter because the spicy ingredients can keep your guests tuned into the food — not just the TV. The cupcakes, regardless of the election outcome, provide a sweet finale to a high-tension evening and bring their own sense of celebration.

Try new wines on election night

When it comes to pairing wine and food, there are no rules and no right or wrong answers. No matter what our political party affiliation, it's important to remember that wine and food are meant to be enjoyed together. Have fun discovering the combinations that you like. Drink what you like and trust your own tastes.

And even if the impending election is cause to fret, when it comes to wine, there is nothing to fear. Many Americans who drink wine are actually intimidated by it so they don't drink it as often as they'd like. Especially as the election nears, there's no better excuse to uncork some interesting new wines to share with family and friends as you celebrate, or commiserate, over the 2012 election results. Either way, you'll discover something new and have fun while doing it.

More drink ideas

Election Day Jolly-Rancher infused vodka shots
How to stock your bar for your holiday parties
Booze-free beverages: Can't-miss mocktails