Challenge: buy flowers

Why? Research shows that acts of kindness aren't just a treat for the recipient. The person committing the good deed gets a boost in life satisfaction too. What better way to get happy than buying someone flowers?

Our ladies react:

Lauren: It's a soggy, rainy South Florida evening, and I walk in the door from work with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

"Ohhh... Mommy! Are those for me?" my 5-year-old son asks.

"They are for the whole family," I reply.

"Well, they are so beautiful. You should get flowers every day."

And he has a point. Sometimes the smallest thing — the tiniest change in routine — can immediately improve your mood. Walking in with a handful of flowers for no reason did just that for my family tonight. A great reminder to switch things up every now and then.

Patrice: My challenge this week was to buy flowers. It was perfect since my niece's birthday was Tuesday. I've been sending flowers to her at school every year on her birthday since she turned 13. This year, she is 17. When I was in high school, I thought it was so special when students got balloons and flowers on their birthdays. A loved one wanted to surprise them with a gift, and everyone yelled "Happy Birthday" all day long. I imagined it was a day filled with love. I want my niece to feel special and loved on her birthday, since I can't see her. Here's the pic she sent me.

Deborah: I've always loved beautiful flowers growing in a garden. I've never really been a fan of cut flowers, unless they came from my own garden. I just feel like it's a waste of money and of a flower because as soon as you cut it, it begins to die. My family once planted me an entire English garden for Mother's Day. It was the best gift I ever received. I tried to buy myself flowers this weekend and instead, I bought myself a peony plant to grow in my yard to enjoy for many years rather than one single occasion.

Our Everyday Inspiration series wants to inspire you with small ways to improve your life. We've asked 20 women to take on a variety of small challenges and share their results. See all of our Everyday Inspiration challenges here, and meet the women here.

Photo credit: Bigshots/Photodisc/Getty Images

Slomo's real name is Dr. John Kitchin, and he's the stuff of legend. In a recent New York Times documentary, he disclosed his motivation for his rather unorthodox take on life. After years of pursuing his career and its financial payoff, he woke up one morning to the realization that the daily grind of existence was "the most absurd, stupid way of life," he said. He took a personal inventory and realized that all he really wanted to do was rollerblade. So, that's exactly what he did.

A call to a greater passion

My questions after watching his inspiring story are these: What the heck are the rest of us doing with our lives? And why aren't we pursuing our passions with Slomo's rugged determination and honesty? After talking with dozens of women about these questions, I've heard an awful lot of excuses. I've also thought through how to put these excuses in their place.

"I don't have the money." Since people work to get paid, this is a legitimate concern. The trick is to allow your financial status to serve as information rather than a barrier. Instead of saying, "I don't have the money," try saying something like, "I don't have the money now, but if I work a second job for a while, I'll have the savings to quit my job to pursue my dream."

"I don't even know what I want to do." I'm appalled that people drag themselves to work every day without giving any thought to what they're passionate about, what they're good at and what they want to do. Think about it. Dream. Don't quell your passions by prematurely telling yourself it's not possible.

"I shouldn't." Duty is good in small doses, but it cannot guide your life if you hope to be happy. A good friend of mine recently said, "I should stay in this job until the kids are done with college." Her kids are 10 and 6. That's a lot of years in a bad career. The question is: Should she? Really?

"I wouldn't know where to start." As the old adage goes, Rome wasn't built in a day. No one knows where to start. Dreams take shape over time, with plenty of joys and setbacks along the way. Don't let the possibility of unforeseen barriers stop you from dreaming and putting one foot in front of the other.

"I'm scared I might fail." Spend time thinking about what it means if you fail. Does it mean you'll be unloved? Does it mean you'll end up homeless? Once you put your fear of failure in context, it will lose its control over your decision-making.

"I want more stuff for my family." Your kids don't want more stuff. They want you, and they want you to be happy and fulfilled. Figure out how to make that happen first.

When you're old, will you love the woman you were?

If all else fails, ask yourself this question: "When I'm old and gray, will I love the woman I was at 20? At 30?" Will you love the choices you made and the time you spent? Will you feel thankful for risks and failures? Today, if you know the answer is no, choose the brave choice instead of the conventional one.

Look, I get it. Last year, I asked myself the same question and had to answer no. Within two months, though, I did something about it. I left a supremely unhealthy marriage, sold everything I had, quit my full-time job and moved into a 700-square-foot pool house that I lovingly call "my shack." Are there hard days? Absolutely. Would I ever go back? Not a chance. After all, Slomo himself says, "the good ol' days are already here." Now, go make the most of them.

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The flavors of the Mediterranean are fresh and colorful. This Sunday dinner recipe for Mediterranean-stuffed chicken breasts makes a lovely presentation for a family gathering or special meal. Since these are easy to make, anytime is a good time to serve them.

I used spinach, onion, garlic, roasted red peppers, olives and feta cheese as the stuffing for this dish. You could also use sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts for a different take. Your family will enjoy the flavors of this Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Mediterranean stuffed chicken breasts recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 (4 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 ounces baby spinach leaves
• 1/4 cup diced Greek or Italian olives, pitted
• 1/4 cup diced roasted red peppers (packed in oil)
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Add aluminum foil to the bottom of a baking dish, and spray it with the nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside.
2. Use a sharp knife to make a horizontal slit through the thickest part of the chicken breasts, almost from end to end but not all the way through. Set aside.
3. To a sauté pan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion, and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for another minute.
4. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the spinach to the mixture, along with the salt, pepper, lemon juice, olives and roasted red peppers. Toss to combine.
5. Add the mixture to a bowl, and mix in about 4 ounces of the feta cheese.
6. Use a spoon to stuff the mixture into the chicken breasts. Some of the filling may overflow, which is OK.
7. If you like, use toothpicks to help hold the chicken together. Carefully place the stuffed chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. The baking dish should be big enough to hold the chicken breasts without them touching one another.
8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken is done. The USDA notes that a minimum safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees F, as measured by a meat thermometer.
9. Remove the chicken from the oven. In a small bowl, mix together the seasoned breadcrumbs and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
10. Lightly pat the breadcrumb mixture onto the tops of the chicken breasts. Remove the toothpicks, and place the chicken back in the oven on broil for just a minute or so, until the breadcrumbs turn golden.
11. Remove from the oven, sprinkle the tops with the remaining feta cheese, and serve warm.

Liven up your next chicken meal.

More Sunday dinner recipes

Grilled chipotle-orange chicken salad
Red Thai curry pulled pork tacos with slaw
Pasta with beef ragu

Like most kids, I avoided vegetables when I was a child, but there was one dish that was an exception. Maybe the quail eggs or the cashews were responsible, tricking my senses. Or maybe it was the oyster sauce, which gave the dish an exquisite Asian touch. What's important was that I ate the vegetables without a single complaint. Fast-forward to now, and the dish remains a big favorite of mine.

You will love the crispness of the vegetables and how the other ingredients blend with them. Oyster sauce is commonly used in Chinese dishes, and it always adds a rich flavor.

Vegetable stir-fry in oyster sauce with shrimp, quail eggs and cashews recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• Peanut oil (or oil of your choice)
• 1 head broccoli, cut into small florets
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 4 ounces green beans
• 2 pounds shrimp, shelled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 12 quail eggs, hard-boiled and shelled
• 1/2 cup cashew nuts

Directions:

1. In a small, dry saucepan over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds for 2 minutes, and then set them aside.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch with the water, and set it aside.
3. In a wok or saucepan with peanut oil over medium heat, sauté the garlic and the onion.
4. Add the broccoli, and stir-fry for 3 minutes.
5. Add the carrots, green beans and shrimp. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes.
6. Add the water-cornstarch mixture and the oyster sauce. Cover, and cook for about 3 more minutes.
7. Season with salt, pepper and sesame oil.
8. Add the quail eggs, cashews and sesame seeds. Mix carefully, and then turn off the heat.
9. Serve hot with steamed white rice.

More vegetable stir-fry recipes

Gluten-free quinoa and veggie stir-fry
Spicy chicken and vegetable stir-fry
Stir-fry noodles with shrimp and vegetables

My family loves to eat dinner or dessert on skewers. The foods might be the same types you would eat on a plate or in a bowl, but the skewer makes it so much more fun and completely changes it up.

Doughnut hole kebabs with fresh fruit recipe

One of my husband's favorite desserts is doughnuts. His favorite are the powdered sugar variety, so he went nuts for these dessert skewers. He loved that they were on a skewer because they are far less messy to eat that way. Instead of getting powdered sugar all over your fingers and hands, it stays completely on the skewer.

These kebabs are so much fun to make, and they dress up a treat in a super-fun way. Plus, they're a great way to sneak some fruit into an afternoon snack.

Yields 10-12

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, stems removed
• 1/3 cup fresh blackberries
• 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 box assorted doughnut holes
• Skewers

Directions:

1. Alternate threading your fresh fruit choices and doughnut holes onto the skewers.
2. Generally doughnut holes can be found in the bakery section of your local grocery store. I like to use more than one flavor of doughnut hole to make these kebabs more exciting. This assortment included powdered sugar, powdered cinnamon sugar and glazed.

Chocolate lover's kebab recipe

These kebabs are my personal favorite (bring on as much chocolate as possible!). For my last birthday, my husband got a chocolate cake with a brownie layer, chocolate frosting and chocolate candies all over it. This delicious dessert is inspired by that amazing cake.

They're made with fresh brownie balls, tons of chocolate candies and fresh strawberries, and are covered in a rich milk chocolate glaze, perfect for the extreme chocolate lover.

Yields 16

Ingredients:

• 1 box brownie mix plus the ingredients called for
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, stems removed
• 1 (11 ounce) bag miniatures assortment chocolate mix candies
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions to fill an 8 x 8-inch pan. Bake according to the directions. Remove the brownies from the oven, and allow them to cool completely.
2. Once the brownies have cooled, remove sections of them, and roll the sections into brownie balls.
3. Unwrap the chocolate candies.
4. Alternate threading the brownie balls, strawberries and chocolate candies onto the skewers.
5. Combine the chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir the chocolate, and microwave again for 10- to 15-second intervals until the chocolate has completely melted.
6. Dip a fork into the melted chocolate, and drizzle the chocolate over the kebabs. Allow the chocolate to harden, and serve.

Strawberry shortcake kebab recipe

These strawberry shortcake skewers are delicious and a fun twist on traditional strawberry shortcake. The "shortcake" is a pound cake cupcake made in a miniature muffin pan and then threaded onto skewers along with strawberries. Don't forget the fresh whipped topping to finish them off.

Yields 16

Ingredients:

• 1 pint fresh strawberries, stems removed
• 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
• 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces sour cream
• Sprayable whipped topping
• Skewers

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a miniature muffin tin with liners, and set it aside.
2. In a bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese until creamy. Beat in the sugar until fluffy, and then add the eggs. Beat in the vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, and then stir in the sour cream. Pour the batter into the muffin tin liners, and bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean.
5. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely, and then remove the liners. Slice the cupcakes in half.
6. While the cupcakes are baking, remove the strawberry stems and points, and then slice the strawberries into large, coin-shaped pieces.
7. Thread the skewers, alternating between the pound cake cupcake pieces and the strawberries. Spray whipped topping over parts of the skewers, and enjoy immediately.

S'mores on a kebab stick recipe

These kebabs are the perfect way to enjoy a quick s'mores treat without making a bonfire. You can whip them up in minutes and enjoy them right away. Plus, they have all the great flavors of a s'more — chocolate, marshmallow and graham cracker.

If you're having a summer get-together without the bonfire, these are perfect. My nieces and nephews love these summer s'mores kebabs, which are quick to make and far less messy. One of my nieces doesn't like marshmallows, so she licks off the chocolate and graham crackers and then hands the marshmallow right back to me.

Yields 18

Ingredients:

• 1 bag large marshmallows
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 3 sheets graham crackers
• Skewers

Directions:

1. Combine the chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir the chocolate, and microwave again for 10- to 15-second intervals until the chocolate is completely melted.
2. Place the graham crackers in a blender or food processor, and pulse until the crackers become crumbs. Transfer the crumbs to a bowl.
3. Place a large marshmallow onto a skewer. Dip the top of the marshmallow in the melted chocolate, and then shake off the excess by tapping the stick against the edge of the bowl.
4. Dip the melted chocolate immediately into the graham cracker crumbs. Again, tap the edge of the bowl to remove the excess.
5. Place the marshmallow skewers onto parchment paper, and either allow the chocolate to harden, or eat immediately. Do not wait too long to eat these, or the marshmallows will harden too.

White chocolate brownie and cupcake kebab recipe

These kebabs combine two great desserts: brownies and cupcakes. They are made with fresh berries and coated with a white chocolate drizzle. You can choose whatever color cupcake you want if making these kebabs with a special occasion in mind.

Yields 16

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix plus ingredients called for
• Food coloring of choice (green was used for this recipe)
• 1 box brownie mix plus ingredients called for
• 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a miniature muffin tin with liners, and set it aside. Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Dye the batter the desired color of choice.
2. Pour the batter into the muffin tin liners, and bake according to the package directions.
3. Prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions to fill an 8 x 8-inch pan. Bake according to the directions. Remove the brownies from the oven, and allow them to cool completely.
4. Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, remove the muffin liners.
5. Once the brownies are cooled, remove sections of them, and roll the sections into brownie balls.
6. Alternately thread the miniature cupcakes, brownie balls and berries onto the skewers.
7. Combine the white chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir the chocolate, and microwave again for 10- to 15-second intervals until the chocolate is completely melted.
8. Dip a fork into the melted chocolate, and then drizzle the chocolate over the kebabs. Allow the chocolate to harden, and serve.

More dessert recipes

Mini banana split bites
Snickerdoodle bread
Chocolate pretzel beer toffee

Photo credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

An unexpected June bride! Emily Maynard, who starred on Season 8 of The Bachelorette, is officially a Mrs. The North Carolina-based reality star married Tyler Johnson, an automotive management consultant, on Saturday night in Sharon, South Carolina.

People magazine had the exclusive details on the secret wedding. The couple invited 200 guests to an engagement party that turned out to be their surprise wedding. The bride kept it casual, pairing cowboy boots with her Modern Trousseau gown. Her eight-year-old daughter, Ricki, served as her maid of honor.

VIDEO: Courtney Robinson writes Bachelor tell-all >>

Maynard told the entertainment magazine why she chose her daughter to play such an important role.

She said, "It's just as much her day as it is mine because it's a big change for her. She just adores Tyler, and he is so good with her. He loves her as if she was his own daughter. It's been so great to see their relationship grow."

Ricki's father is NASCAR driver Ricky Hendrick, who died in a plane crash in 2004, just before his fiancée Maynard found out she was pregnant.

The newlyweds are planning on residing in Charlotte after their honeymoon. The bride had no idea where they were going on vacation.

She shared, "Tyler planned it. He told me we're going to a beach. We could totally be going to Myrtle Beach for all I know!"

Emily Maynard dishes on her jewelry line >>

Maynard is also changing her last name to Johnson, so there are lots of big moments in their lives this month. The 28-year-old TV personality is also looking to put her reality show past behind her.

"For so long, I felt so embarrassed and ashamed about that TV stuff," said the former ABC star, who was engaged to Bachelor star Brad Womack and then was proposed to by Jef Holm on her season of The Bachelorette.

She gushed about her new husband, "God brought us together. He's given me such peace about everything. I'm so grateful I met him."

Photo credit: Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Twitter users once again showed their ignorance of the makeup of the U.S. population when the social media site exploded over Mexican pop band Camila performing in Spanish at the Miss USA pageant on Sunday.

Detractors said that a song sung in Spanish by a Mexican musical act has no place in the Miss USA pageant because English is the official language of the country despite the fact that 37.6 million people over age 5 speak Spanish at home. In fact, according to the Pew Research Center, Spanish is the second most common language in the land.

Hollywood reacts to the veto of SB 1062 >>

But not everyone thinks such a huge part of our population deserves to be recognized as illustrated by the hate-filled comments filling the Twitterverse on Sunday night — and ironically many were littered with spelling and grammar errors, totally butchering the language they were making a misguided attempt at defending.

Why do they have this terrible band at Miss USA? Lets sing English not Spanish. Were not in Mexico. #MissUSA #MissUSA2014

— Tyler Tague (@tyler_tague) June 9, 2014

ok, like this is America not a foreign county go on somewhere with that non-english crap lol

— Paige★ (@paigee_estep) June 9, 2014

#MissUSA we are in #Merica ... Not spanishland .... English please .... What the hell is this crap

— Travis Funkhouser (@T_Funk92) June 9, 2014

#MissUSA has these foreign men signing in another language...what kind of sick joke is this? It's AMERICA...we speak English. #pitiful

— Mikayla Mason (@MikaylaMarissa) June 9, 2014

Celebs react to Pope Francis, hilarity ensues >>

Not everyone was so displeased about the performance, though. Many people were actually psyched to see diversity represented in the pageant in a new and meaningful way.

I haven't been following Miss USA closely but the tweets about Camila's performance in Spanish are ridiculous...

— Anna Cafolla (@AnnaCafolla) June 9, 2014

People outraged over Camila at the #MissUSA Pageant? Sorry guys, but I'm pretty sure America is a melting pot of ethnicities..

— Megu Kolanko (@MeguKNews) June 9, 2014

Wow. Some people are so ignorant. The U.S. is the 5th largest Spanish speaking country. I give Trump kudos #MissUSA #Camila #getcultured

— Alejandra Ortiz (@alejandra0rtizz) June 9, 2014

Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez — of Latin origin herself — won the title of Miss USA.

Photo credit: Derrick Salters/WENN.com

After all of the hype at the Billboard Music Awards about Jennifer Lopez appearing with Pitbull at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Brazil, the pop singer has withdrawn from the event. Her reasons for exiting were rather vague.

An official press release on Sunday said, "For production issues, Jennifer Lopez, one of the artists of the official song 'We Are One,' will not be able to perform at the Fifa World Cup opening ceremony."

Who should Jennifer Lopez date next? >>

While the "I Luh Ya Papi " singer is out, Pitbull and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte remain on the performance roster. The appearance for JLo would have been a big international push for her new album, A.K.A., which drops next week.

The music industry is speculating that her public breakup with Casper Smart last week may have something to do with it. Even though the couple announced an amicable split, rumors continue to surface that the former backup dancer has been canoodling with several transgender women recently.

PHOTOS: Jennifer Lopez recycles the dress that made her famous >>

JLo might be avoiding any personal questions about her love life given the delicate nature of all the current gossip. The American Idol judge did make a big splash last week at her hometown concert in the Bronx, New York, but she waited until after that event to officially announce the breakup.

The 2014 World Cup begins this week in Sao Paolo, Brazil. It's a global event involving 32 nations that will compete for the coveted prize in soccer.

Photo credit: Eliza Snow/iStock/360/Getty Images

Alternative health care practices are gaining momentum as of late, perhaps because of the recently renewed focus on health care in our country. Cymatherapy, a type of non-invasive sound therapy, is an alternative health care option that is piquing the interest of parents because of its gentle approach to healing.

What is it?

Cymatherapy uses sound frequencies to stimulate different parts of the body in order to create balance and promote healing. This therapy uses sound vibrations and the body's meridian points to realign and revitalize a sluggish or otherwise unhealthy system. "According to the FDA, Cymatherapy products are listed as Class 1 devices," says Dr. Jan Dilley, a holistic health practitioner and certified biofeedback specialist. "The specific category is electric, acoustic massagers. The acoustic sounds provide relaxation and may relieve minor pain and stress. When the body is fully relaxed, states of optimum health are achieved on physical, psychological and emotional levels. This applies to children as well as adults."

Read more: Don't mistake sensory issues for behavior issues >>

Tune in

Reflexology and acupuncture are two non-traditional therapies that also use meridian points to identify and relieve conditions that cause our bodies to operate in less-than-optimal states. "We can use the analogy of the body being like a radio," says Dr. Dilley. "Sometimes our body's radio gets stuck on a non-relaxing channel with lots of distortion and static. This becomes stressful on all levels and not switching to another channel can begin to really deplete the body. The depletion can continue for only a short time until the body goes into chaos." Cymatherapy is designed to relax the body so that it can tune in to another station and operate on a more balanced and healthy frequency.

Read more about natural ways to improve your child's health >>

Sound therapy and autism

Cymatherapy has numerous applications when it comes to children's health including treating those with anxiety, depression, chronic conditions and attention deficit. Covenant Health Clinic in Roswell, Georgia, has specifically explored the effect of sound therapy on children with autism with great success. "When we started with Cyma I didn't really have any expectations," says Carolyn Nesbit, whose son has autism. "I was hoping it would help him but I didn't know. In the first three weeks, his behavior improved markedly. At school, they reported that cognitively, he was doing much better in reading, math and language. It's made our home life happier."

Read more: The truth about love... and autism >>

Is it for you?

It's important to note that Cymatherapy doesn't directly cure or heal a specific ailment. Rather, it helps balance the body, fostering a state of harmony so that it can heal itself. If this option sounds like something worth exploring, seek out a licensed health care professional (doctor, chiropractor, nurse, osteopath, naturopath, etc.) who is trained in this technique. You aren't likely to see this option promoted in traditional health care circles, but for those who like to explore their options, Cymatherapy is worthy of consideration.

Read more about alternative health care

Alternative therapies for kids with Down Syndrome
Natural remedies to cure your kids' colds
Tips for how to use homeopathy in your family

Photo credit: WENN

Comedy fans from around the world are mourning the passing of British comedian Rik Mayall today. According to the BBC, the 56-year-old actor died on Monday.

Mayall's management firm, Brunskill, announced, "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Rik Mayall who passed away this morning. We will be issuing a further statement in the fullness of time."

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The funnyman leaves behind a wife and three children. He died at his home in London.

Mayall came to the public's attention in the 1980s as a part of the comedy group Comic Strip. Along with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Adrian Edmondson, they set the standard in alternative comedy in the industry during that era.

However, Mayall was best known for his role on the British sitcom The Young Ones. He was also a writer on that show. He then went on to acclaim on The New Statesman as conservative politician Alan B'stard and as Lord Flashheart in the BBC comedy series Blackadder.

Ann B. Davis dies: 5 Reasons we loved The Brady Bunch's Alice >>

U.S. audiences might remember his turn as the pesky imaginary friend in the 1991 film Drop Dead Fred, starring Phoebe Cates.

In 1998, Mayall was in a coma for several days after a serious quad bike accident. The experience changed his entire outlook on life.

10 Things you didn't know about Maya Angelou >>

He told the BBC after his injury, "The main difference between now and before my accident is I'm just very glad to be alive. Other people get moody in their 40s and 50s — men get the male menopause. I missed the whole thing. I was just really happy."

Photo credit: WENN.com

While they told the public that their divorce is an amicable one, Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas' relationship wasn't as picture-perfect as most believed.

Together for 18 years, Griffith and Banderas always gave the illusion they had a great romance throughout their longtime relationship. However, it wasn't always rosy between the pair, and they had been having issues for years, People claims.

Melanie Griffith & Antonio Banderas announce shocking split >>

"The split is not something new and out of the blue; they have had issues for years," an insider close to Griffith told the publication. "The fights and separations got to be too much."

Additionally, Banderas' constant traveling affected his relationship with Griffith, as he was so often absent from home. "He has always led an international life and during the times they were apart for business or film work, he began to live his own life away from her," the source continued.

But, another source close to the couple claims that when they were apart, Griffith and Banderas talked on the phone several times a day and "seemed to make it work." The duo also spent lots of time at their home in Marbella, Spain, and took time to be together with their kids when they were in LA.

Melanie Griffith credits daughters with sending her to rehab >>

Meanwhile, recent rumors claimed that the Spanish actor was having an affair with his Expendables 3 costar, Natalie Burn, after the duo was seen dancing a steamy flamenco together at the Cannes Film Festival. Burn, however, said she has nothing going on with Banderas, and that the Machete Kills star actually told her he was trying to save his marriage to Griffith.

"I know he mentioned he had some problems [in his marriage]. In Cannes he was saying that he was trying to fix the marriage," Burns told RadarOnline. "He's deeply in love with her... In Cannes he was sad, which is why he told people and how much he wanted to work it out."

So far, though, it seems Banderas has had no luck in convincing Griffith to stay with him, as the award-winning actress filed for divorce on June 6.

Photo credit: Indeed/Getty Images

Fairy garden

Photo credit: BrassyApple.com

Have fun with your kids this summer by creating a magical fairy garden in your own backyard. "Using what's in your flower beds, and [a] few miscellaneous craft supplies, your kids can create their own fairy village," Megan Pyrah of the Brassy Apple blog tells SheKnows. Megan shared this photo of the DIY fairy house she and her daughter created, using things like ice pop sticks, clothespins, as well as weeds, flowers, grass and twigs. They created a fairy rock garden, a yard for teatime (using a flower as the umbrella for shade) and fairy houses from small wooden birdhouses. "This is a fun way to get creative and be outside," says Megan.

Duct tape coin purse

Duct tape has gone way beyond the boring silver sticky tape that is useful around the house. With all of the cool new colors and prints, it has become a fun crafting medium for kids of all ages. You can make everything from flip-flops to a tablet cover and even a flower hair clip using the bright colors of Duck Brand duct tape; however, one of our favorites is this colorful Duck Tape Coin Purse. This craft is for beginners and is great for girls and boys alike! Check out the step-by-step directions at DuckBrand.com.

Rainbow bubble snakes

Photo credit: HousingAForest.com

Your kids will have an absolute blast making these Rainbow Bubble Snakes this summer, courtesy of HousingAForest.com. The best part? You can make them out of items you probably already have around your house, including empty water bottles, duct tape, a sock, dish soap and food coloring. All you do is cut off the end of the water bottle and put the sock over the end, attaching it with duct tape or a rubber band. Put some dish soap and water in a container, dip the sock end into the solution and have your kids blow into the top of the water bottle. To make your snake colorful, pour some food coloring onto the sock to color the bubbles.

Summer bucket list

Photo credit: SimplyKierste.com

Create a summer bucket list with your kids by creating tags on card stock, punching a 2-inch circle on them and sliding them on a book ring or key chain. SimplyKierste.com shared this adorable idea, and she even has free printable templates on her website to make your own summer bucket list. What kind of activities should you include? She suggests activities that don't need to be planned far in advance, but can be done spur of the moment. Include things local to your area; however, some ideas could include visiting a museum, going bowling, family movie night, building a fort, inviting friends over for an ice cream party, having a water fight or a watermelon seed-spitting contest.

Also check out 10 things that should be on your family bucket list >>

Care packages for the troops

You and your kids can help the U.S. troops know you are thinking of them by making care packages this summer. Check out Operation Care Package Kids Reach Out for specific things the troops need to include in the care package. The troops are currently asking for first-class stamps, white or black work socks and (my favorite!) hand painted pillowcases for troops in the combat hospitals to help "brighten their room and lift their spirits." Check out the website for more ways you can help.

Salt dough snake craft

Photo credit: Frugalfun4boys.com

Boys and girls alike will love making this fun salt dough snake craft, courtesy of Frugalfun4boys.com. You can make this with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. The salt dough consists of:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 Tablespoon oil

Your kids make their snakes out of the dough and then bake them for 3 hours at 200 degrees F. Let the snakes cool before painting them. They are s-s-s-s-s-s-spectaular!

Constellation jar

Photo credit: DesignMom.com

This summer craft for kids is perfect for stargazers — and for those wanting a cool night-light. Gabrielle Blair of DesignMom.com created this amazing light-up jar using a wide-mouth jar (like a pickle jar), a disposable cake pan, a small click light, an awl (or a pointed tool to poke holes in the tin pan) and scissors. After cutting out a strip of the pan to fit around the inside of the jar, poke holes in it in the shape of the constellations and place it inside the jar with the click light. Turn off the lights, turn on your jar and enjoy the stargazing!

Grow a Venus flytrap

Your kids will keep their science skills strong (and have fun doing it) with these unique gardening and science kits from DuneCraft. They have so many cool plants for kids I had a hard time narrowing down just one, but decided to focus on the one that I know my kids would like the best: the Venus flytrap. For just $4, you can pick up a Curious George Fly Trap kit or Carnivorous Creatures kit ($35) which features flytraps and savage sundews. The Venus flytrap is a plant that attracts insects, traps them in its jaw-like foliage and eats them. Gross? Kind of. Would kids love it? For sure.

Also check out kid-friendly gardening projects >>

Salad spinner art

Photo credit: BrassyApple.com

Yes, you heard us correctly. Your salad spinner does more than just make a yummy salad, it also creates art. This is so easy, fun and perfect for kids of all ages. How do you do it? "Place some paper in the salad spinner, dribble on some paint, replace lid and give it a spin," says Megan, who shares the step-by-step directions on her blog, BrassyApple.com. That's it! This would be great for everything from 4th of July bashes to birthday parties.

More crafts for kids

Paper crafting for kids
Crafts that help you bond with your child
Wooden spoon crafts for kids

Kids love chicken nuggets, and these are no exception. But moms will love that these chicken nuggets have extra nutrients and fiber, with heart-healthy quinoa, fruits and vegetables. They also freeze well for future last-minute dinners.

If you're having trouble finding ground chicken, then try grinding your own. Simply cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes, and freeze them for about 20 minutes. Then place the cubes in a food processor, and pulse until they are ground. Fill the food processor only halfway, so work in batches if you need to. You can also simply use ground turkey if that's easier to find.

Chicken quinoa sweet potato nuggets recipe

Yields 40

Ingredients:

• 1 medium sweet potato
• 1 red onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 sprigs fresh parsley, stems removed
• 1-1/2 pounds ground chicken (or substitute ground turkey)
• 3/4 cup applesauce
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1-1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• Coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Peel the sweet potato, and cut it into chunks. Place the chunks into a steamer basket in a pot with an inch or so of water. Steam on high until soft, about 8 to 10 minutes.
2. While the sweet potato steams, place the onion, garlic and parsley into a food processor. Pulse until very finely chopped.
3. Add the sweet potato, chicken, applesauce, quinoa, breadcrumbs and egg to the food processor. Pulse until everything is well mixed.
4. Form the mixture into 1-1/2-inch balls.
5. In a skillet on medium-high heat, melt about a tablespoon of coconut oil. Place the chicken nugget balls in the pan, and fry for about 2 minutes on one side. Flip the balls, and use a spatula to press them into a flatter nugget shape.
6. Fry for an additional 2 to 5 minutes, until golden brown. You can use a meat thermometer to check that the nuggets have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
7. You can cook all the nuggets at once and freeze them, or freeze the raw balls in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and then transfer them to a plastic bag and keep them in the freezer until ready to use.

More chicken nugget recipes

Baked pasta-crusted chicken nuggets
Homemade chicken nuggets
Asian-style chicken nuggets with lemon glaze

Photo credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock/360/Getty images

1. Built for the perfect alfresco Father's Day grill fest

Designed by Omaha-based Olive Branch Integrated Outdoor Design and built by VIP Outdoor Living, this enviable patio boasts a sturdy U-shaped brick counter that gives guests a front-row seat to the culinary magic Dad is throwing on the built-in grill.

2. Design a kitchenesque patio

One of our favorite grilling patios, this backyard kitchen, designed by Small Batch Kitchens, located in Lexington, Kentucky, features gorgeous stonework, a substantial father-friendly grill, a fully functional sink, a built-in fireplace and plenty of counter space.

3. Build an urban grill haven

Just because you live in the big city doesn’t mean you can't enjoy the great outdoors while grilling up a Father's Day feast. New York City's Michael Haverland Architect designed this classy yet comfortable patio for an upscale townhouse. It features a built-in grill, a fireplace and room to entertain.

4. A backyard patio with class

Living up to their name, Cottage Company Interiors, located in Harbor Springs, Michigan, designed this cottage-like patio with clean lines and a cozy feel. Featuring wood floors and cabinetry, a built-in grill and fridge, central and side seating and a ceiling fan, this outdoor kitchen nook will make Dad want summer to never end.

5. A patio room with a view

If Dad lives in a locale where the hot or cold weather can interfere with his weekly grilling agenda, build a patio that has indoor and outdoor capabilities. This contemporary grilling patio from Florida-based Charles Clayton Construction features doors and covered windows that open up to a balcony and a view of the water.

6. When Dad wants to live a fantasy

Finton Construction, located in Arcadia, California, crafted this whimsically themed patio in Beverly Hills, featuring a castle-like garden room (for all those vegetables Dad can put on the grill), a built-in grill and comfortable seating around a low counter.

7. For the dad who loves the kitchen as much as the grill

Slater Architects, located in Sydney, Australia, designed this sleek modern-style kitchen that opens up to a grill patio.

8.When Dad loves the woodsy outdoors

The architects at Washington-based Copper Creek Landscaping designed this stunning deck featuring a built-in fireplace and grill, rugged stonework and plenty of space to sit around the fire awaiting Dad's grilled meal.

More spectacular home designs and decor

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Photo credit: baona/Vetta/Getty Images

If your baby is hungry, you feed her, right? Well, when a young mom posted a photo of herself breastfeeding her baby girl during her college graduation and it went viral, not everyone thought that was OK. And I have to ask, "Why?"

This makes me happy. I'm so sick of Breastfeeding moms being stigmatized. Congrats mama! Proud of you! @Kay_Danae pic.twitter.com/rYqeSozylW

— Winter is Coming (@ForRevolution) June 9, 2014

Breastfeeding at graduation

Karlesha Thurman, 25, recently graduated from California State University Long Beach, and nursed her baby girl during her graduation ceremony. Her amazing photo was picked up by the Black Women Do Breastfeed Facebook page, who reshared it. She later wrote to the page, "Thank you, I found out I was pregnant my last year of college, had my daughter one week into my last semester, she was my motivation to keep going, so me receiving my BA was our moment, so glad I captured the moment and so glad you shared it with the world so thank you again."

Once the photo went viral, she received plenty of compliments and love, and many were inspired by her accomplishment and that she was also nursing her little one.

However, not everyone agreed that the photo was all that awesome. And that's where the problem lies. Some of the responses the photo received were frighteningly judgmental and mean.

Some assumed that she was at her high school graduation (and really, if she was… so what?).

@ochocinco @POPSS0N serious...poster child for a wonderful future..wtf maybe she will have 4 more by college graduartion

— pam (@pam49986114) June 8, 2014

Some didn't really understand that, you know, babies need to eat.

I'm all for sharing your accomplishments with having a child young and still graduating college, but breastfeeding while at graduation? Nah

— Darté (@dliindaxo) June 9, 2014

In defense of the nursing mother

Her sweet baby looks really young, and likely needs to eat quite often. I'm glad that she was able to have her baby with her at graduation and was able to feed her on demand. I've said this before, that not everyone has success with a breast pump and not every mother wants to introduce a bottle to their baby. And really, you don't have to — nursing your baby is just feeding your baby. You've chosen to use your breasts for their intended purpose and if your baby is hungry, you can feed her. It's really quite simple.

Eilta from the Blacktating Blog agrees. "We don't see photographs of black women nursing their babies nearly enough," she tells me. "It's also a really beautiful testament to motherhood in general — the way we sacrifice in order to provide our kids with the best. Going to school full-time while breastfeeding is quite a feat and should be celebrated. I'm willing to bet this mom had to work through lots of barriers in order to keep her nursing relationship with her daughter intact while she went to school."

Fortunately, she is getting just as many defenders on social media as she's getting detractors.

Honestly ? Shaming a woman for breast feeding at her graduation? Babies gotta eat too. tf ? Y'all trip Over the stupidest things.

— M A R I A N (@marianxo__) June 9, 2014

Photo of the sister #breastfeeding her baby at graduation is beautiful beyond words.

— Witches Brew (@Kah_Dae) June 9, 2014

I love and support my women breastfeeding at graduation. You guys should stop with the fake tweets and stop judging. We're successful. #Hate

— DREbron James (@Dredaddy88) June 9, 2014

The backlash towards this mother is alarming, both those who dismissed the importance of the nursing relationship she has with her baby, and those who slut-shamed her for having a baby in the first place. I'd like to congratulate her on her college graduation and for her decision to nurse her daughter and share a photo displaying both. You're doing it right.

More on breastfeeding

Why shaming women into breastfeeding doesn't work
Delta drops the ball on breastfeeding again
Pro-breastfeeding ads criticized for obscenity

Photo credit: Netflix

"We all have weird s*** with our mothers."

The theme of the second season of Orange Is the New Black was summed up succinctly by Cindy to her girls in the warehouse: mothers and daughters. How to be a parent, how to be a child, how to be both at the same time, how to be neither. This season, every inmate at Litchfield found herself struggling with the question of how to define a family, and the choices they made resulted in 13 hilarious but anxiety-inducing episodes of fantastic television.

We spent the first season getting to know the ins and the outs of Litchfield right along with Piper. We got comfortable. We thought we learned how it worked, and now that the show lured us into thinking we had everything figured out, Season 2 roared in to make sure we understood that actually, we know nothing. Characters' backstories are more shocking, the level of corruption in the prison system is even worse than it was before and the relationships are even more complex — and a joy to watch tangle and unknot, over and over again.

The inevitable downside to watching a season of OITNB all at once is a little bit like eating an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's. It feels fantastic until the slow realization creeps up that this is the last spoonful, and now there will be no more for a long, long time. The incredible sense of satisfaction, though — that's the thing that lingers.

Until next June, here are the season's highlights.

Orange Is the New Black Season 2: 5 Things we want to see >>

The harrowing season premiere

For a show that's never exactly shied away from portraying the dehumanization of inmates in the prison system, "Thirsty Bird" set the bar with Piper (Taylor Schilling) taking an excruciating trip on ConAir. Never before has a show spent so much plot time on one woman's desperate desire to go to the bathroom. We were cringing to see the way Piper had to plead with multiple guards to allow her the basic human dignity of using a toilet before one of them showed a scrap of decency. Not to mention the scene where she shivers in the back of a van, tears of terror pooling in her eyes as the guards chatter happily about Mila Kunis in a way that's designed to be aggressive. It can't possibly be legal to throw a woman in a van in the dead of night without telling her where she's going or what will happen when she gets there, except in this world. The rush of relief when Piper is finally informed she's been transferred just long enough to testify against Alex's old drug kingpin and will then be returned to Litchfield is palpable enough to feel through the screen.

Bow down to Queen Vee

In the absence of Pornstache, Litchfield needed a new Big Bad, and Lorraine Toussaint's deliciously amoral Vee stepped into those shoes with practiced ease. Vee arrived as a kind, motherly figure who had a long history with both Taystee (Danielle Brooks) and Red (Kate Mulgrew). Vee was the first person to show kindness and respect to Crazy Eyes, winning her eternal devotion, and her entreaties to rekindle her maternal relationship with Taystee started off sweet and heartfelt. She seemed to genuinely want to take Taystee and her friends under her wing, to create a happy prison family. But it became evident that Vee's real plan was to play the long game, and any feelings she showed were purely calculated moves designed to bring her closer to her goal. Her real game? Channeling her heroin business into the prison with Taystee as her lieutenant, all played with a motherly smile and a giant pan full of cake.

Taystee and Poussey's friendship

Poussey (Samira Wiley) caught on to Vee's game right from the start, and her desperation to save Taystee from Vee's machinations were painful to watch. Her bewilderment that Taystee would ever choose someone else's friendship over hers and her isolation from the rest of the group sent her deep into a bottle of home-brewed prison hooch and childish acts of retaliation. Even after Crazy Eyes physically assaulted her in the showers, she never gave up on her best friend, she never stopped fighting, and in the end, her faith was rewarded. Taystee realized that any love between herself and Vee was completely one-sided and chose Poussey, her real family. Good thing she brought a giant apology along with her. The joy on Poussey's face when Taystee pulled her into a giant hug in the library was enough to bring tears to our eyes.

It's a go! OITNB picked up for Season 3 >>

Healey's self-improvement

After leaving Piper to the mercy of a shank-wielding Pennsatucky in the Season 1 finale, Healey (Michael Harney) finally realized what an awful person he'd become. More impressively, he made incredible strides to be better this season. He took his job seriously again, pushing through Piper's furlough request to see her dying grandmother and providing Pennsatucky with real counseling instead of being cursory and dismissive. He was more gentle with his wife, he tried to start a support group for the inmates and even began seeing a therapist himself. Perhaps most importantly, in spite of the major setbacks and self-doubt, in the end he rose above doing what was easy and bent the rules to correct a massive injustice that would have resulted in Crazy Eyes being punished for Vee's crime. Sure, he's got a ways to go when it comes to his near-obsessive fear of lesbians, but the fact that he's realized he has a problem at all is a step in the right direction.

Morello's backstory

In possibly the biggest shock of the season, mild-mannered Lorna Morello (Yael Stone), who's been constantly prattling about her gorgeous fiancé Christopher since the pilot, was revealed to have some massive mental problems. She wasn't in jail for a mail-order scam as previously suspected; she was imprisoned for stalking the oft-mentioned Christopher, who, it turns out, was a man she only ever went on one date with. She constructed an elaborate fantasy about their relationship in her mind and turned angry and violent when Christopher had no plans to follow the script. Our jaws are still on the floor from Morello's final attempt to contact him, which resulted in breaking into his house and taking a bath in his tub while wearing his real fiancée's wedding veil. Her meltdown in Nichols' arms when she finally realized how desperately she was in need of help was heartbreaking.

OITNB's Laura Prepon on playing Alex: "She scares me a little bit" >>

The overall more hopeful tone of this season

While Orange Is the New Black is always hilarious, it's oftentimes a hard, painful show to watch. The women are so utterly powerless to the guards' whims and to the limits of the system. This season, however, our girls decided that they would all fight back for the things that mattered to them, no matter what the cost. Piper realized that Natalie Figueroa, the assistant warden, was at the root of all the internal problems and made it her personal mission to root out the corruption. Red redid her hair, polished her nails and set out to reclaim her family and her dignity. Yoga Jones joined new inmate Soso's hunger strike with a trembling, nervous speech about how she couldn't keep watching her friends get thrown into solitary as though it's nothing worse than a time-out. Daya ordered Bennett to man up or get out of her life, and even Norma attempted to turn apple seeds into poison to pay Vee back for the brutal attack on Red. This season, every woman believed that she had the right to speak out and stand up, and it was inspiring to watch.

Rosa's beautiful victory

And while we're speaking of inspiring things, Miss Rosa (Barbara Rosenblat) was a character we never thought we'd see get a backstory. Turns out she was once a beautiful, sexy bank robber with a wild streak a mile long, and to return to the present where she's dying of ovarian cancer alone in prison was among the saddest moments of the season. In the most beautifully redemptive move of the series, however, Miss Rosa decided that she was not going to spend her final weeks of life stuck in a cell. During the lockdown after Vee's escape in the final moments of the season finale, Morello gave her the opportunity to swipe the van, which she did with all the glee of her former gun-toting, fearless younger self. While last year the show ended on a terrifying cliff-hanger, this year gave us Rosa pressing the pedal to the floor and riding off in a flash of glory — after, of course, aiming the van directly at a newly escaped Vee, crashing into her remorselessly and musing to herself, "Always so rude, that one." As far as exits go, we can't imagine a more fitting one.

Season 2 of Orange Is the New Black is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Photo credit: WENN.com

Lil' Kim is a new mommy. The rapper gave birth to her first child, a baby daughter, and named the little princess Royal Reign.

Sources confirmed to Us Weekly that the singer welcomed her baby girl on Monday, June 9, at 9:58 a.m. in New Jersey. Royal Reign weighed in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.

Tacky Lil' Kim hits up fans for baby presents >>

Fans first learned of Lil' Kim's pregnancy in February when she announced the news to the media during New York's Fashion Week. "I'm so excited! I'm a few months along, I can't wait to be a mom," she told Us. But the "Lighters Up" star said she would not slow down with her work while pregnant and would continue to sing.

"I'm still going to work. I'm still going to be hardcore," Lil' Kim added. "The baby has made me even more of a beast!"

The identity of the baby's daddy has yet to be revealed, as Lil' Kim has not divulged who it is. But the first-time mom's best friend, Jennifer Dalton, assured she would be the best parent a baby could ever have.

JWoww flips over Lil' Kim comparison, simmers down nicely >>

"She's always wanted to have a child... She is very, very good with kids. She loves kids! And she's such a great godmother," Dalton gushed. "She's my daughter's godmother; she has three godkids. That's how great a godmother she is — everybody wants her!"

Plus, The Real Housewives of New Jersey star actually revealed she'd be at the delivery room when Lil' Kim went into labor, joking she was like one of the star's five midwives. So, the new single mom doesn't even need the father to be there at all.

"I'm going to be there with her when she gives birth!" Dalton added. "She has a lot of good people around her, but there is only one person allowed in the room with her, and that's me."

Photo credit: Jaroslav Frank/iStock/360/Getty Images

Caregiver abuse is one of the worst fears of any parent, and it's a fear felt keenly by parents of children with special needs. Lori Lamb was shown footage of a 57-year-old man repeatedly slapping her son in the face. He can be heard crying out in fear and pain.

Abuse at the hands of a trusted adult

When an incident like this happens with a public school employee who's been working in school transportation for over 20 years, how do we put our kids on the bus in the morning without fear? How do we send our kids to school or summer camp? We teach our children that they can trust caregivers, but 18 percent of children with autism have been physically abused.

This morning I dropped my son off at his first day of camp. As with any new child care situation, I took a few moments to fill out medical paperwork and inform the supervisor that my son has special needs and a life-threatening allergy. He has a mild form of autism and tends to thrive in a structured camp setting. He's been riding the bus to school for two years without incident beyond his driver ruefully admitting that he can be a little annoying to his seatmates.

I can't imagine dealing with abuse at the hands of someone trusted with the care of young children — especially abuse of a child who is unable to communicate exactly what happened. In this case, the school bus aide has been arrested and charged with child abuse. How can we ensure that those who work with our children have the training and patience required to discipline children appropriately?

More on autism

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Patriotic sensory tub for therapeutic play
How we're failing children with special needs

Photo credit: PFA

Here's something you should know about Jo Dee Messina: she has, quite possibly, the best laugh in the business. During our interview with the redheaded country crooner, we heard it often. It is one of the many things that endeared Messina to us during our chat: She isn't a woman afraid to giggle, or to laugh with gusto.

That seems to be a pretty apt metaphor for Messina as an artist, too. She isn't afraid to be silly or to speak her mind — as you might have guessed from chart-toppers like "Bye-Bye," "My Give a Damn's Busted" and most recently, "A Woman's Rant."

And while you might expect a woman who has churned out more than half a dozen No. 1 hits, sold more than five million albums and shared the stage with the likes of Tim McGraw to be a bit self-important, Messina isn't in the least. When we broach the positive response to her new album, ME, she genuinely marvels that "people are actually digging my tunes."

Her fifth studio album, ME was a true labor of love for Messina. After breaking with her longtime record label, Messina decided to launch her own, Dreambound Records. She then turned to the popular crowd-funding site Kickstarter to source her next move. Her fans turned out in force, raising more than $100,000 and making her campaign one of the largest funded music campaigns in the site's history.

To pay tribute to her loyal supporters — who Messina regularly engages with on social media — she gave them a voice. She presented songs she wrote (or cowrote), and the fans chose which ones made the cut. "This is a project I wanted to do with the input of the public and the people and the fans who have been so supportive of my music all along," Messina said.

The resulting album marks Messina's most personal effort to date. Released in March, ME represents the brand of forward-thinking country music Messina has long wanted to make. "I think there is a sense of freedom, because so many times I ran into people's fear," she explained. "They were too afraid to say whether they liked a song or not because they were sure if it was a 'hit.' And really, there is no magic for a hit — it's like catching lightning in a bottle."

Of course, the album is rife with potential hits. From the pop-tinged "I'm Free" to the feisty "A Woman's Rant" to the straightforward "Strong Shot of You," ME has a little something for everyone.

"You know, no two people have the same opinion, and the record reflects that because I gave the public the choice of the songs," Messina remarked. "You can hear the different styles of song that people like on the record."

Remarkably, and perhaps a testament to the fact that music continues to hold its novelty for her after all these years, Messina still gets surprised at times by fan response. "The song I hear commented on a lot, which is a huge surprise, is 'Say Goodbye to Superman' — I put it on last, 'cause I was like, 'You can't even follow this song… it's so sad and depressing!'" she laughed.

These days, though, music isn't the only gig keeping Messina on her toes. She may be a country icon to many, but to 5-year-old Noah and 2-year-old Jonah, she's mainly just Mom.

So what's her secret for juggling both?

"I have none," she said, busting out in a deep belly laugh. "I have no secrets. I have no balance. I'm constantly walking around with my head spinning on top of my neck. I'm white-knucklin' it all the way... just trying my best to do everything for everybody, and at the end of the day I find that I do very little for myself. That is a luxury, my friend."

Check out Messina's new album, ME, here. Or check out The Rocket's Red Glare, a children's audio book she voiced, here.

More on country music

Girl Crush Extra: Jessie James Decker reveals her reality TV regrets
INTERVIEW: Jamie Lynn Spears talks journey from teen mom to country singer
INTERVIEW: Country newcomer Frankie Ballard talks whiskey, women and God

Photo credit: Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Receiving praise for her healthy shape during the Miss USA pageant, Miss Indiana USA Mekayla Diehl revealed she was appreciative of the comments and was proud of her "normal" body.

Showing a very healthy figure at Sunday night's Miss USA competition, Diehl said she was thankful for the praise she received in regard to having a realistic and fit shape, E! News reported.

Miss Nevada crowned Miss USA, can totally kick your butt >>

"So cool I worked hard on my body without obsessing over being too skinny and I couldn't be more proud," the brunette beauty tweeted in response to E!'s complementary story about her awesome bikini bod.

The entertainment site reported how Diehl made Twitter explode with "a spontaneous round of applause" after she competed in the Miss USA swimsuit competition. The 25-year-old beauty queen sported a curvier-than-usual shape, which gained praise all over for being more "normal" than the typical twig-like figures seen at beauty contests.

Unfortunately, Diehl didn't advance to the finals and into the top 10, disappointing fans everywhere who loved that she looked like an "average woman," unlike the other contestants. But she accomplished her goal of making it to the Miss USA pageant and with a positive response to boot.

POLL: Should Latin pop band Camila have played Miss USA? >>

However, an even bigger feat she trampled over in her life is a past horrifying sexual abuse encounter when she was just a little girl.

"I was 8 years old when I was sexually abused," Diehl told Indiana's WNDU local radio show. "Very quickly after that we moved in with my grandmother and eventually [I] was adopted."

Ex-Miss USA Rima Fakih busted for DUI >>

The man who hurt her was a friend of the family and her parents decided not to press charges against him. Diehl revealed that at first it was very hard to deal with, but eventually with the help of her grandmother she was able to surpass the ordeal.

"I had horses. We tried 4-H, I tried saddle club," she said. "Dancing was my emotional outlet. I loved to dance, and that became my emotional release."