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Mum launches Kickstarter campaign inspired by artistic collab with her kids

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More: Artist involves daughter in creative journey with beautiful results (WATCH)

Paula Sheedy, who has a background in graphic design and web development, has started a Kickstarter campaign that showcases the illustrations she has created with her three children, Nate, Jeremy and Summer. She hopes to raise money to fund her dream of creating an educational game and app, which will incorporate the family's artistic collaborations.

Speaking of how she began colouring in her children's artwork, the Queensland native revealed that it all started with one of her son's drawings.

More: Statue of Queen Victoria defaced to make a 'feminist statement'

"I was inspired to colour in my kids drawings, and so I did. I love how innocent and pure their lines are and I can see beyond the outlines they create. I started to colour in Jeremy's (my 2nd [child]) drawings last year," she writes. "He was 6 at the time. One of his drawings is our pet chooks Mavis, Roxy and Blitz. My 3rd is a little tomboy princess, Summer who luuuurrrrvs [sic] to draw. I put one of her drawings up here (the Wise Little Owl) that she did when she was 2. I am working on our eldest son's drawings and hoping to use them in the future for our 'dream' of creating games. Your feedbacks are important to me to show the kids that our collaborations are actually liked and do work. It will be a great encouragement for my little artists to continue to create and go go go."

If you fancy supporting a local artist (who loves to work with her children), then here's what you can get: By pledging $10 to her goal of $2,500, you can receive "1 set of 5 x 7 photo prints of our chooks (Mavis, Roxy and Blitz) from the CHOOKS HOUSE (set of 3)."

Mum draws inspiration from her children's doodles
Image: Paula Sheedy/Kickstarter

If you back $15 or more, the reward is the same, but you get an additional 5x7 photo print of the original drawing and the progress. The process continues with various artworks offered as rewards for those who are willing to back projects.

There's even an image of aliens for those space lovers out there.

Mum uses her children's doodles to create something beautiful
Image: Paula Sheedy/Kickstarter

More: 'Graffiti grannys' may be the best thing you've seen on the Internet all day

We love this idea of working with and encouraging children to use their imagination, artistic talent and creative skills to collaborate on something beautiful.

Do you draw with your children? Let us know in the comments below.


The secret behind why lip balm makes your dry lips worse

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Even though EOS lip balm has been taking store shelves (and purses) by storm with its adorable egg-shaped case, pastel colors and wide variety of flavors, some customers are alleging that the cute balm has done some very not-cute things to their lips.

People are reporting some serious skin damage, ranging from a burning feeling and excessively dried-out lips all the way to open sores around their mouths that take months to heal. Now injured customers have filed a class action lawsuit against the company, whose name, ironically, is an acronym for "evolution of smooth."

EOS lip balm

EOS lip balm

I actually have the the lemon drop flavor on the table next to me right now and I'm giving it some serious side-eye.

So what causes this?

This kind of reaction isn't as unusual as you might think, says Marina Peredo, MD, a New York based dermatologist. "We see a lot of reactions like this to cosmetic products in general," she says, adding that it appears to be an allergic reaction, called contact dermatitis or cheilitis, to one or more of the ingredients in the lip balm.

More: Lip balm addiction: What it is and what you can do about it

Public enemy number one? Fragrances are the primary allergen in cosmetics, causing far more reactions than anything else, Peredo says. Numbers two and three are artificial colors and flavors. And after a quick scan down the EOS ingredients list, she finds several other common allergens including olive oil, coconut oil, vitamin E and even the beeswax used as the base ingredient of the popular balms — ingredients that are common in many lip products. She cautions that just because something is "natural" doesn't mean you won't have a problem with it, adding that all the different types of extracts could also cause a reaction.

"Some people are more sensitive than others, but it's also possible to develop an allergy over time," she explains. "And when you're sensitive to one ingredient in a product, then you become sensitive to the whole thing." Plus, people who have asthma or eczema have a higher risk of allergic reactions.

More: What exactly is happening under your skin when you pop a pimple

There may be another, subtler reason behind all the swollen lips, Peredo says. And it's something we all do, especially in the cold, dry weather: lip licking. "Saliva itself can break skin down, and so constantly licking your lips can open up cracks, making you more susceptible to infection or a reaction," she explains. "Combine that habit with lip balm and it can be a problem waiting to happen."

What to use instead

Whatever the reason for the problems, however, she says there is a simple solution: products that have just a few ingredients and are free of all fragrances, flavors and colors. She recommends Vaseline and Aquaphor (Drugstore.com, $5) particularly for dry lips. And if your lip product ever stings or burns, she says to stop using it immediately instead of trying to solve the problem by using more of it.

80s lip balm
Image: Twitchery/Flickr

Reports of children being left in hot cars has led to calls for action

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In Victoria alone, 225 cases of children being left in hot cars were reported by paramedic figures in December of 2015.

More: Swim safety more important than ever as child drowning deaths increase

That figure looks to be rising too, with 161 call outs made during December in the year prior. On one particular day, when 13 calls were made to paramedics, the mercury levels hit 37 degrees.

Considering the temperature inside a car left in the sun can be between 20 and 30 degrees hotter than outside, the temperature in the car on that day could easily have been from 57 to 67 degrees.

The most horrifying thing about all this, though, is hearing that there has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of babies locked in hot cars unattended. More than 370 babies under the age of one had to be rescued from hot cars in Victoria between September 2014 and August 31, 2015.

One woman has been charged after leaving her two-year-old in a car for approximately an hour in Bankstown.

It was a particularly hot day of around 35 degrees when police were called to the car park where the child was trapped. They forced entry into the car, after which the child was taken to hospital by paramedics.

More: Parents share heartbreaking video of baby they lost to preventable illness

The mother, who was inside a shopping centre at the time, was paged and alerted, while her child was distressed and treated for dehydration.

It takes just 15 minutes for a child to suffer from brain damage, kidney failure and ultimately death in a hot car, that's about just as long as it takes to run into the shops and grab a loaf of bread and some milk.

"There is no safe amount of time to leave children alone in the car," says Nathan Allen, an emergency medicine doctor at the University of Chicago.

"Kids are more susceptible and at higher risk for heat-related illness and injury than adults because their bodies make more heat relative to their size and their abilities to cool through sweating are not as developed as adults."

According to Kids Safety Victoria, this is what the public should do if we ever see a child alone in a car.

  • First, look for the parents and see if they are close by
  • If not, call 000
  • Wait for paramedics to arrive

If you do need to leave the car, no matter how long it's for, always keep your child with you.

Have you ever seen a child left in an unattended car? Let us know.

More: Don't be afraid to invite that kid with special needs to the birthday party

An appreciation of the arts can make you happier

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So it comes as quite a surprise to hear that an interest in the arts can actually correlate with feeling of optimism and well-being.

Perhaps most of us have come across at least one or two artists who use their special talent as an excuse to be obnoxious and outspoken. Being an artist can do amazing things to your ego but, as it turns out, an appreciation of the arts can do wonders for the spectator, too.

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An appreciation for the arts can actually makes us happier, or so scientists would have us believe.

A study released by the University of Western Australia has found that enjoying and participating in the arts for just two hours per week, can have a positive effect on our mental health and overall wellness.

More than 700 Western Australians took part in the study, and were asked about their interests and involvement in the arts for enjoyment, entertainment or as a hobby.

Their love of the arts included things like photography, music, painting, theatre, craft, fashion, reading and sculpture, and their involvement could include being a spectator or actually taking part in the act of artistic expression.

More: Mum launches Kickstarter campaign after artistic collab with her kids

It was found that people who had enjoyed 100 hours or more of the arts, around two hours per week, reported a higher mental well-being than those who hadn't. They were reportedly happier and had a stronger sense of mental health.

VicHealth says the arts can help promote good mental health by building a sense of community.

"The strength of the community arts process is its ability to bring diverse people together around a common project and sense of purpose," they said in the Arts for Health Creative Connections and Community Arts Participation Scheme document.

They also found that self-esteem levels and overall wellness increased after people took part in community arts programs.

The American Journal of Public Health-published review titled The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health also found that an involvement in the arts had the power to reduce stress, dull depression, reduce negative emotions and even help those suffering with grief.

Philosopher and writer Alain de Botton talks about the link between wellness and the arts in his book Art as Therapy, in which he uses art to help people resolve difficult situations in a person's life.

Art can transform our lives, be used as therapy, help us conquer grief, and, yes, even make us happy. It might be worth making friends with that egocentric artist in our lives after all.

Does your appreciation of the arts make you happier? Let us know.

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Small town allocates funds to help stray animals

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Each year the small town of Sardarpura in India collect money to go towards their budget for feeding and taking care of stray animals and birds in the area.

More: 10 Cat videos we hope make it to the Cat Video Festival 2016 in Melbourne

While we ship discarded animals to animal shelters or euthanize them because they can't be cared for, the people of Sardarpura are collectively taking responsibility for the animals of the town who don't have a home.

This is a tradition that has been going on for more than 100 years and takes place on the 14th of January each year in order to give animals their right to good health.

Each year the 5,000-strong community rallies together to set aside a budget for the animals in the area, which include dogs, donkeys, cows and bullocks. And where they cannot donate money, they donate and prepare food.

More: 10 Celebrity pets that have a better life than you

"We allocate the budget to animals and birds, according to their numbers," villager leader Moti Desai says.

"Elders of the village first make a blueprint for the budget for animals and then they ask village youths to collect the necessary funds. Women who are on fast work to prepare food for stray animals," he said.

Indian town budgets care of stray animals

Indian town budgets care of stray animals

While local residents and animals rights campaigners in Australia often rally in support of issues which affect animals, like protesting against the removal of native habitat and the life export trade, it is not likely that a whole community of people would come together and allocate an entire budget to supporting the local animals.

We should all take a note from the people of Sardarpura and their treatment and respect of their furry friends. Wasn't it Ghandi who said that "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated"? Well, Sardarpura you're pretty great in my eyes, and my hat goes off to you.

What do you think about the people of Sardarpura taking care of their animals? Let us know.

More: 10 Dog breeds that hate the cold weather more than you do

Orphan Black promo proves horror is ahead for the clones in Season 4 (VIDEO)

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More: QUIZ: Which Orphan Black clone are you?

The video also has an Alice in Wonderland feel, which might mean the clones are headed down some type of rabbit hole. The teaser opens up with Sarah and her sisters narrating. Let's just say their words speak volumes.

They say, "Burning with curiosity she ran across the field and down a large rabbit hole, never once considering how in the world she would get out again. Had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling. She tried to look down and make out what she was coming to, but it was too dark to see. Down, down, down. The only way forward is to go back."

Obviously, this is an excerpt from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland where Alice falls down the rabbit hole. In the video, all of the clones are narrating as different images and actions of the clones correlate with their words. Based on the last line, and as previously teased, it looks like Sarah is going to be researching the past and will encounter a new clone along the way named M.K.

More: Orphan Black's Tatiana Maslany's definition of a strong heroine is perfect

Now, the teaser appears to be illustrating things that have already happened to the sisters, but they also could be foreshadowing more horrible things to come. The creepy reading of the Alice in Wonderland passage also doesn't help.

Oh, and the fire burning the sock monkey? Is that supposed to represent Sarah's daughter Kira, who they call Monkey? I sure hope not. Be sure to pay attention at the very end, because M.K. makes her debut next to Sarah.

It's official: Orphan Black isn't holding back during Season 4.

Orphan Black S4 teaser

Orphan Black S4 teaser

Orphan Black returns to BBC America in April 2016.

More: 2015’s Best Canadian shows with strong female leads

The Walking Dead: 9 New clues about the survivor's story lines in Season 6

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More: The Walking Dead: 11 Questions we need answered ASAP after the break

What can I say? I'm a hopeless romantic. So, here's what (else) we know. Season 6 resumes on Feb. 14 and AMC just released an intriguing new composite poster promoting what will surely be one hell of a second half.

The Walking Dead: Season 6B Art

The Walking Dead: Season 6B Art

But what do all these little glimpses mean for Rick Grimes and the rest of our beloved ragtag band of survivors? Let's speculate. After all, we've gotta find some way to pass the time until the midseason premiere.

1. Rick's gnarly face

TWD Season 6B Teaser 1

TWD Season 6B Teaser 1

A set of companion images show our fearless leader's face, bearing a bit more wear and tear, thanks to recent events at Alexandria. The first is captioned with a quote from Rick, saying, "I thought living behind these walls was possible..."

TWD Season 6B Teaser 2

TWD Season 6B Teaser 2

"... I was wrong," finishes the second. Unless they discover some other walls in the latter half of Season 6 we've yet to learn of, it's safe to assume Rick is talking about Alexandria. Since the last time we saw the gang they were fleeing in meat curtains, this isn't exactly a surprise. However, perhaps it's important because it implies that they do make it out and that they return to the nomadic ways of their past.

2. Billowing smoke

TWD Season 6B Teaser 3

TWD Season 6B Teaser 3

Hmm, curious. Logic would seem to dictate the smoke could be coming from the ruins of Alexandria. Did our heroes set it on fire as they left to torch the throngs of walkers? Do the survivors find their way to a new home only to see it burn to the ground? Or could this be a smoke signal (albeit a ginormous one) coming from someone trying to alert Rick and his crew to their location?

3. Rosary beads

TWD Season 6B Teaser 4

TWD Season 6B Teaser 4

We already know that our favorite characters will come across other survivors sooner rather than later — Negan's lackeys showed up during the winter finale, after all. And since the promo poster teases "A Larger World," it's a possibility the hand clutching the rosary beads belongs to a newcomer. Specifically, I'm going to guess it belongs to Paul "Jesus" Monroe, who earned his nickname not for any spiritual fortitude but rather for his bearded likeness. The other possibility is that the rosary beads belong to Father Gabriel and they were yanked from him during some sort of struggle. (Can he be killed off already?)

More: The Walking Dead: Does Xander Berkeley's role spell doom for Rick's crew?

4. Familiar jewelry

TWD Season 6B Teaser 5

TWD Season 6B Teaser 5

I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but it certainly looks as though we'll be seeing Deanna again — as a walker. We can be nearly sure of it, given the delicate gold necklace and wedding band this walker is wearing. However, it looks as though a non-zombie hand is clutching walker-Deanna's arm. Does Michonne do Deanna the service of keeping her from killing one of her still-living friends?

5. Morgan on horseback

TWD Season 6B Teaser 6

TWD Season 6B Teaser 6

So, Morgan's alive. Here's hoping that means Carol's OK, too, after the pair tangled in the winter finale. Him riding through a seemingly deserted town on horseback is puzzling, though. Perhaps he got banished by the group for his behavior. Or maybe — seeing as this image hearkens memories of Rick riding into Atlanta during Season 1 — it means Morgan is taking more of a leadership position moving into 6B. Heck, maybe he just decided to go it alone (except for the horse, of course).

6. A super satellite

TWD Season 6B Teaser 7

TWD Season 6B Teaser 7

This must have some significance, although your guess is as good as mine. It appears to be a satellite dish of gargantuan proportions, and surely there aren't a lot of those just hanging about. So that got me thinking that maybe this is a clue as to where Rick and the gang end up next. After a little sleuthing, I found that, of the 10 largest satellite dishes in the world, only two are located in the United States — and they're both in California. That can't be right... or can it?

7. Handcuffed walkers

TWD
Image: The Walking Dead/Facebook

Michonne might be up to her old tricks, y'all! Or, at the very least, someone is. Unless these walkers were survivors who'd been handcuffed before being bitten, in which case it just means they were still wearing the cuffs when they turned and wandered off. Po-tay-to, po-tat-o.

8. This RV

TWD Season 6B Teaser 8

TWD Season 6B Teaser 8

Memories, in the corner of my mind. Yes, seeing this rickety ol' RV makes me feel all kinds of feels, because it reminds me of Dale. RIP, friend. Sure wish you didn't have to die. Of course, Dale did die, and he did so a long, long time ago. So is this the RV Rick memorably used earlier in the season to wipe out some Wolves? I spy what appears to be a moving truck behind it, which — if you remember — Darryl was driving with Sasha and Abraham in tow. This could very well be a caravan in search of the next Alexandria.

More: The Walking Dead: 8 Things to know about Negan, next year's threat

9. Jessie and Rick, joined at the hand

The Walking Dead
Image: The Walking Dead/Facebook

If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck. And if it looks like a flannel-shirt-wearing woman and a man holding each other's bloody hands, it's probably Jessie and Rick, taking their post-apocalyptic love public. Aww. See, I told you I was a hopeless romantic.

Frozen poop pills may be the key to beating obesity

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A group of researchers led by Elaine W. Yu, assistant professor at Massachusetts General Hospital, are currently conducting a randomized, placebo-controlled trial where 21 obese participants will take pills for 12 weeks, some containing cocoa powder (the placebo) and some containing fecal matter from lean, healthy patients each week for 12 weeks.

More: How a caffeine addict quit coffee once and for all

The goal of the study is to find out how gut microbes contained in the fecal matter from fully vetted healthy people can affect body weight and insulin sensitivity in obese people.

"The donors go through a screening process that is more rigorous than what is required for blood donation," Yu told People, adding that every donor is approved by the FDA and "must meet strict weight criteria and are screened for medical, infectious and metabolic disorders."

There has been some precedent for this trial: An earlier study showed the transfer of gut microbes from lean donors into mice prevented obesity and insulin sensitivity. Another study on humans showed positive response, but the fecal matter was transferred endoscopically.

More: Why your diet makes you so grumpy

"Multiple lines of evidence suggest that gut microbiota play an important role in regulating human metabolism," Yu and researchers explained in the trial proposal. "Major study outcomes include change in weight, insulin sensitivity, and body composition."

This all sounds great, but one more question: How will the pills taste?

"The pills are odorless, tasteless and double-encapsulated to ensure they will not release until they reach the right location in the large intestine," Dr. Yu told the New York Daily News. "We don't know what the results of this trial will be. I don't want to feed any frenzy of people jumping on this bandwagon."

More: Woman who can't stop pulling her hair out takes a drastic step (WATCH)


Guy proposes to girlfriend 149 times, but she had no idea (VIDEO)

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Let me explain: Thirty-eight-year-old Ray Smith took 148 pictures — most of him and his girlfriend Claire Bramley — along with a note that read "Will you marry me?" on each one.

More: Woman surprises long-distance boyfriend with adorable gift idea (PHOTOS)

He got the idea last year after they found out she was pregnant.

"I told her I was taking the pictures to track the progress of the baby, which was a little bit of a ruse," he told the U.K. Mirror, adding that "sometimes she wanted to see the pictures so I had to take more than one — one with the card and one without."

selfie proposal

selfie proposal

She wasn't getting it, so he decided to just go for it on Christmas Day.

More: Gay couple caught on NHL Kiss Cam gets overwhelming support

"It was all a bit chaotic on Christmas Day morning so I took her away and set it all up on the laptop. I got down on one knee and gave her a bit of spiel, and then popped the question," he said. The 33-year-old Bramley had no idea.

"I was totally oblivious to it all," she said. "I was totally surprised, but in hindsight it’s exactly the kind of thing he does. He likes to do romantic things."

And her answer? "I said yes straightaway, I didn’t need to think about it. I got a bit emotional but I am pregnant after all."

More: Woman kicked off Yelp for using it to review dates

5 Ways Mob Wives proved the ladies are crazier than ever

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More: Italian group blasts Mob Wives

Drita
Image: VH1

1. Nobody can ever let anything go

According to Carla and Karen, Drita is a fake. Drita feels the same way about Karen and Carla. Apparently these feelings have something to do with Love, who I forgot about, because she was around two seasons ago. Drita storms out of her lunch with Renee when Love's name comes up, but it doesn't get explained, so... good luck figuring it out, everyone?

In other news, Karen and Drita are fighting because Karen allegedly told some people that Drita's husband was arrested, which Drita claims he wasn't. Apparently Karen isn't totally above forgiving people, because she reached out to Victoria Gotti to resolve their strife, leading folks on Twitter to suspect that Karen has some odd ulterior motives.

Mob Wives 1

Mob Wives 1

Mob Wives 2

Mob Wives 2

Mob Wives 3

Mob Wives 3

2. Everyone has a terrible memory (and is also super dramatic)

And by "everyone," I mean Renee. And by terrible, I mean "selective." Karen would like her new friend Brittany to join the ladies for Mermaid Parade shenanigans. Renee is not into it, because Brittany is a "baby rat." In other words, her father cooperated with the police. If you're new here, or you just managed to wipe your brain clean between Seasons 1 and now, let me remind you that the worst thing you can be on this show is a rat. Going to jail is preferable over cooperating with the police. Literally anything is better than cooperating with the police. And also? Karen's father cooperated, which, as she reminds Renee, also makes her a "baby rat." (I keep thinking of actual baby rats, and it's distracting.) Here's the pièce de résistance, though. Renee's ex-husband and the father of her son, AJ, cooperated. When this is pointed out, Renee responds with the not at all over the top statement that she would rather have put her son in foster care than have a husband who was a rat. Great, Renee.

More: Mob Wives canceled after Season 6 

3. Going on vacation = disaster

Be honest: Can you think of one time people on a reality show have taken a vacation together and not tried to kill each other or made a really bad decision? That's what I thought. But since this is a reality show, people aren't going to stop going on vacation together, just like they're not going to stop getting drunk and reading each other's text messages. So the Mob Wives crew goes to the Hamptons, sans Drita, with Brittany the baby rat and Marissa, a friend of Renee's. It takes almost no time before everyone is hungover and Marissa and Brittany are fighting about how much Brittany drinks. Sounds relaxing.

4. No new friends (or old ones, apparently)

I had really hoped that this final season would be about the original crew being best friends forever and doing each other's nails, but apparently Brittany and Marissa are going to be hanging out for a while and, if the season premiere was any indication, fighting with one another and probably the others. And now with everyone (except Ang) mad at Drita, this season is likely going to be a totally dramatic, hair-pulling disaster in which everybody ends up being awful at one point. Or Drita will triumph.

5. Men are the worst

The men on this show cause at least 50 percent of the drama, and they're already not helping this season. Lee throws a fit when Drita tells him she's going to write a book about her life, worrying about privacy while simultaneously forgetting momentarily that he is on a reality show and has basically had phone sex with her while the cameras were running. He might have also forgotten that Drita stayed with him and raised their daughters while he was in prison, even when he didn't know when he was coming home, so he should probably leave her alone about writing a book. Karen's boyfriend Storm has no time for her feelings and isn't into talking about their relationship, which isn't anything new, but seriously? Go away, Storm.

More: Mob Wives delivers the bleepin' drama on season finale

What do you think of the drama that's already unfolding in the first two episodes? Are you on Team Drita? Are Karen and Carla fake? Tell us in the comments!

Karen
Image: VH1



Should parents hide their politics from the kids?

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In 1989, I was 14 years old. George H. W. Bush was running against Mike Dukakis. We studied the election in civics class and read newspaper articles every morning. We held mock elections and discussed the various opinions and views of the differing political groups. Every night, I would come home and relay the facts from the day to my parents.

More: Teaching children about the presidential election

Yet never in any of those conversations over dinner did they ever give me an inclination of who they were voting for.

I never knew if my parents were Republicans or Democrats. I didn’t know their stances on abortion or immigration. Whenever I asked, they would simply share both sides of the issues and tell me that it was up to me to decide what I believe.

I never thought about their approach to politics and parenting; it was simply what I knew.

Then, many years later, I became a parent to two children. A very liberal-minded Democrat parent.

And suddenly I was faced with the reality that it was up to me to teach them how to keep an open mind. I could choose to share my beliefs on certain political issues and in essence shape theirs, but a very particular incident stopped me.

More: T-shirt telling little girls they can be president angers moms

The two children of a family friend came and stayed with us. They were 9 and 12 years old at the time. Barack Obama had just been elected for his second term, and the children and I were discussing how exciting it would be to see inside the White House someday.

“Well, I’d never want to see it if Obama was in office,” the young boy who was 9 replied, his older sister nodding her head in agreement.

“Why is that?” I asked, confused.

“Because he’s a terrible president. The country needs a Republican leader.”

“Why?” I asked, looking back and forth between them.

He shrugged as she answered, “I don’t know. That’s what Mom and Dad always say.”

And it hit me. They had no idea what they believed. They were simply regurgitating the information their parents relayed. And would probably continue to do that until it just became part of their own repertoire. It's not just those children either. According to a Gallup Youth Survey in 2005, 7 in 10 teens (71 percent) confirm that their political views/ideas match their parents'.

As I looked at my own children after that incident, I knew I didn’t want that same thing in my style of parenting. Even if I wanted them to believe the same things I did, it had to be because they choose those views. Not because I forced it on them.

So I’m taking a page out of my parents’ book next year. I’m going to share both sides of the political election when issues come up. I’m going to try my best to not roll my eyes at Donald Trump’s comments about building a wall or high-five every fellow woman when Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic bid.

Instead, I’m going to lay out the facts and the differing opinions, and ask what they believe. At least I’m going to try.

With the recent debates on television, I used the opportunity to create a list of some of the issues raised. Considering my children are ages 7 and 4, I kept it broad. I told them some of the Republican candidates' ideas for immigration and education as well as some of the Democrats' ideas. My husband jumped on board as well, and together we laid out both sides.

What I realized was that it wasn't so important that they understand every issue inasmuch as they understood that we weren't telling them what to believe. That we were opening the door to them making their own deductions.

I can't stop extended members of my family from sharing their opinions over our weekly Sunday night family dinner. But what I can do is encourage my children to participate. To share what they learned and perhaps educate others as well as themselves.

More: 15 Fierce female-empowerment songs every mom should teach her daughter

And in the end, the only thing I can hope for is that their answers don't make me want to move us all to Canada. But I’m getting our passports ready just in case.

Kim Zolciak comes to the aid of a bride going through chemo

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More: Kim Zolciak's teenage daughter called out for waist training (PHOTO)

For a bride-to-be who's going through chemo, Zolciak turned out to be the perfect person to help. The host of The Bert Show, Bert Weiss, made the request to Zolciak on Wednesday when a viewer called in to his Atlanta-based show requesting help.

"@Kimzolciak We need a wig for a @TheBertShow listener that is getting married but going through chemo," Weiss tweeted.

Kim Zolciak supplies wig to bride with cancer 1

Kim Zolciak supplies wig to bride with cancer 1

Zolciak didn't need anymore convincing than knowing there was a bride-to-be in need. She responded to Weiss' request, tweeting back, "I can help!!! Im (sic) out of the country right now but I'll make it happen count me in."

More: Kim Zolciak under fire for playing dress-up with her 2-year-old (VIDEO)

Kim Zolciak supplies wig to bride with cancer 2

Kim Zolciak supplies wig to bride with cancer 2

Zolciak, who has starred on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, as well as her own talk show, Don't Be Tardy, is known for her extensive collection of blond wigs, ranging in styles from shoulder length and straight as a board to long with beachy waves.

No word yet on whether Zolciak plans to supply the bride with a wig from her own personal collection or just use her obvious hookups in the wig world to supply the wife-to-be with something custom and her very own. Either way, we're sure this is a wedding gift that woman won't soon forget.

More: Kim Zolciak is a red-haired bombshell in throwback pics (PHOTO)

Do you think Zolciak should loan out one of her own wigs for the wedding? Or work with the bride to supply her with her dream wedding look? Head down to the comments to cast your vote.

10 Things you didn't know about Céline Dion & René Angélil's 28 year romance

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1. Theirs was the epitome of a May-December romance

Seventy-three when he passed, Angélil was 26 years older than Dion, who is now 47. They officially started dating when Dion was just 19 years old, although he later admitted their romantic relationship had actually started about a year prior.

2. Dion's age when they met might creep you out

Angélil was managing pop groups when he discovered Dion after her brother sent him a tape of her singing at their father's piano bar. She was just 12 years old at the time; he was 38.

More: Céline Dion candidly shares her terminal husband's dying wish

3. Angélil already had two families before he met Dion

Angélil had been married twice before: Once to Denyse Duquette, whom he wed in 1966 and shared a son, Patrick; then to Manon Kirouac in 1974 with whom he had two children, Jean Pierre Angélil and Anne Marie Angélil.

4. They had major infertility issues

It took Dion and Angélil seven IVF attempts to have their children, and they even suffered through a miscarriage. All their effort finally resulted in two pregnancies and three healthy babies, René-Charles and twins Nelson and Eddie.

5. Their wedding was completely over the top

The couple's extravagant 1994 ceremony at Montreal's Notre-Dame Basilica was televised and featured the bride in a seven-pound crystal-encrusted headdress, a $25,000 dress with a 20-foot train and fur coat, and a press conference with the happy couple immediately following the ceremony, at a cost of $500,000 — which would be approximately $805,000 today.

6. They made their home in an unusual spot

When Dion landed her huge contract for an as-good-as-permanent gig in Las Vegas and traveling became too much due to Angélil's health, the pair put their homes in Montreal and Jupiter, Florida, on the market and settled into a small palace in Lake Las Vegas.

More: Céline Dion's reaction to her husband's cancer is heartbreaking (VIDEO)

7. Angélil took a huge risk to get Dion's career off the ground

In order to finance her first album, La voix du bon Dieu ("The Voice of the Good God"), Angélil took a second mortgage out on his home. The risk paid off: The album, released in 1981 when Dion was just 12, sold 100,000 copies and launched an incredible career.

8. The couple's net worth is astronomical

Dion herself is worth approximately $630 million, while Angélil has an individual worth of around $400 million.

9. They owned several businesses together separate from Dion's performance career

Angélil and Dion owned Nickels Delicatessen and Nickels Grill & Bar before disassociating themselves with the brand in 2007. They also own Le Mirage Golf Club in Montreal and Pure nightclub at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas , as well as Dion's line of fragrances and other merchandise.

10. Angélil put Dion's career into the stratosphere

With her husband's help, between 2000 and 2010, Dion was the highest grossing entertainer in the world. Concert tickets, album sales, merchandise and her various businesses grossed $720 million — $350 million of which came from the Las Vegas residency he negotiated for her.

More: Céline Dion's tribute to Paris at the 2015 AMAs left everyone in tears

10 DIY Valentine's Day cards for teachers your kids can make at home

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As our Valentine’s Day gift to you, we’ve done the hard work for you by collecting some of the easiest and most unique DIY cards kids can make for their teachers at home:

1. Melted heart valentine

Valentine's Day heart melt card for teachers

Image: TenthAvenueSouth.blogspot.com

This Valentine's Day card will not only make your teacher's heart melt, it is also the perfect way to recycle old crayons. Check out Tenth Avenue South for the complete tutorial — but it is not as hard as it looks. Simply place the crayon pieces into a heart mold cookie tray and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Check out their printable card template that reads, "You make my heart melt!" and glue onto card stock for the finishing touch.

More: 6 Super cute Valentines your kids can make for their classmates

2. "You rule" Valentine's Day card

You Rule Valentine's Day card for teachers

Image: RelocatedLiving.com

We love this idea for showing your child's teacher that he or she totally rules. This would also be cute for class Valentine's Day cards. Simply pick up some vintage looking wood rulers (she found these at Target) and hop on over to Relocated Living for the free "You Rule" printable template and complete tutorial.

Next Up: Bookmark valentine

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3. Bookmark valentine

Bookmark Valentine for Teachers

Image: Dandee-Designs.com

This Valentine's Day card is sure to be a hit because not only can you customize the message for your teacher, but she will love that it is also a bookmark. Every time she uses this felt key bookmark, she will remember your child's thoughtful gift. Go to Dandee-Designs for the complete tutorial.

More: 7 Valentine's Day activities for kids

4. Soapy Valentine's Day

Soap Valentine's Day card for teachers

Image: SugarandBows.com

Every teacher would appreciate a nice bottle of yummy-smelling hand soap. Print out "I was soapin' you'd be mine" or "I was soapin' you'd be my teacher" (or have your child write it out with a metallic paint pen) on a piece of red stock paper, cut the paper into the shape of a heart and affix it to a soap bottle. Have your child write a personalized message on the back.

Next Up: Bursting with happiness Starburst card

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5. Bursting with happiness Starburst card

Starburst Valentine's Day card for teacher

Image: Twoyellowbirdsdecor.blogspot.com

This is perfect for the teacher that always brightens up your child's day. Simply place Starburst candies in a jewelry-sized baggy. Head on over to Two Yellow Birds Decor for the complete tutorial and to print out her free tag that says, "I'm bursting with happiness that you're my teacher." Staple the note to the top, hand it to the teacher and watch for the smile.

6. ABC Valentine's Day card

ABC Valentine's Day card for teacher

Image: OopseyDaisyBlog.com

This card is great for the teacher who did such an amazing job with helping your child learn the ABC's or how to read. Pick up some neutral color card stock and print out this free template, courtesy of Oopsey Daisy Blog. She has many types of colors for you to choose from. Embellish your card with ribbon and glue a chocolate heart over the O. Have your child personalize the back of the card with a sweet message.

More: Valentine's Day party favors for kids

Next Up: "Donut" you know?

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7. "Donut" you know?

Donut Valentine's Day card for teachers

Image: SistersWhat.com

We love the play on words on this clever Valentine's Day card. Plus, who doesn't love doughnuts? Head on over to SistersWhat.com to print out the free template that reads, "Donut you know you are the best teacher!" and attach it to a package of doughnuts. You can print it out on red card stock and cut it in the shape of a heart to make it even more Valentine's Day inspired.

8. Friendship bracelet

Valentine's Day class card friendship bracelet

Image: Dandee-Designs.com

This would not only be a great card for the teacher — but also for the entire class. Check out Dandee-Designs for the tutorial, however, she used a simple braid to create multicolored friendship bracelets. You can download and print the tag that reads, "Our class would knot be the same without you!" and use a scalloped paper punch to thread the bracelet through the card. What a cute keepsake for the year.

Next Up: 3-D Valentine's Day cards

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9. 3-D Valentine's Day cards

3D Valentine's Day card for teachers and the class

Image: Thescrapshoppeblog.com

This is such a cute idea for teacher cards and for the class cards. Take a photo of your child with his or her hand outstretched and print them out. Insert a sucker through the hand and — voilà — it transforms into a 3-D card. Have your child personalize the card on the back to let the teacher know why he loves being a student in her class.

10. "Out of this world" valentine

Out of this world space Valentine's Day card for teachers

Image: Zakkalife.blogspot.com

This card is great for a favorite science teacher. Using black card stock, a metallic gel pen and a colorful rubber ball, turn your Valentine's Day card into a cool solar system. Check out Zakkalife for the complete tutorial.

DIY Valentine's Day cards for teachers

Image: Terese Condella/SheKnows

Updated by Bethany Ramos on 1/12/2016

7 Unusual therapy pets that will totally surprise you

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Reddit user biggestlittlepickle posted an image of the unusual event with the caption, "My neighbor is a flight attendant. He just posted this photo of someone's 'therapy pet,' on his flight."

Therapy turkey on a plane.
Image: biggestlittlepickle/Reddit

If you're as confused as we were by that picture, let us explain. It turns out it's actually pretty easy to register an animal as an emotional support animal. According to the National Service Animal Registry, you can register almost any animal with a doctor's note stating you have a disability. After that, you pay a fee, and your certificate is promptly mailed to you.

Here are some more unusual therapy pets we thought you'd like to see:

Rojo the therapy llama

Rojo therapy llama

Rojo therapy llama

Rojo roams the streets of Portland, Oregon, bringing joy and happiness to everyone he meets.

Gentle Carousel miniature horses

therapy horses

therapy horses

A dog-size horse that can travel with you? Yes, please.

More: 5 Facts about service animals you need to get straight

Buttercup the pig

buttercup the pig

buttercup the pig

Buttercup accompanies Lois Jean Brady, a certified autism specialist, on several of her therapy sessions.

More: The health benefits of pet therapy: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and animal-assisted activities (AAA)

Monkeys

therapy monkey

therapy monkey

Helping Hands Monkey Helpers trains adorable little monkeys to help adults with mobility impairments perform daily tasks in their home.

Toast the ferret

Toast the ferret is a certified therapy animal.Image: Fuzzy Friends Rescue and Shelter

Toast was rescued by Fuzzy Friends Rescue and now travels to various facilities, providing therapeutic aid to lots of lucky people.

Kiwi the fennec fox

therapy fox

therapy fox

Kiwi lives at Lyon Ranch in Sonoma, California, and is beyond adorable.

More: How I turned my puppy into an award-winning therapy dog


Feud between RHOC's Tamra Judge and her ex's GF continues

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But she isn't content in staying on the sidelines while Ienni coparents her children, either.

As Radar Online reports, Judge commented on Nik Richie's Instagram with some scathing notes about Ienni's parenting style.

She wrote, "My ex’s ‘girlfriend’ writes me notes on my daughter’s homework telling me what MY daughter needs to do. Like I’m a moron. I so bad want to say STFU and have your own kids. But I don’t… it’s called boundaries. It’s great to have an involved step parent. But know your boundaries….bitch (sic)."

More: RHOC's Tamra Judge releases health update on her granddaughter

Ienni is now defending herself, firing back, "The homework notes is something I occasionally have to do to relay information back to her. We don’t have a relationship where I could call or text her, I wish we did. Unfortunately we don’t have a healthy co-parenting relationship, mainly because of Tamra’s actions (sic)."

Ienni blames Tamra for the breakdown of the relationship, telling Radar, "Simon and I have tried many times to establish some kind of relationship with Tamra for the kids’ sake, with very little success... I'm really confused why Tamra has to continually talk about Simon and I in the public (social and regular media) when clearly we want nothing to do with being famous and/or included in her public life,” she said. “I’m sure she will even comment that these comments are in an attempt to get my 15 minutes of fame. When clearly my actions thus far have shown I don’t want 15 seconds."

More: RHOC's Tamra Judge's daughter makes heartbreaking confession to judge

Sidney Barney, Tamra and Simon's 17-year-old daughter, is now living with her father, reportedly due to Judge's inability to coparent peacefully alongside her ex and his new family.

More: RHOC superlatives: Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador fork out hilarious awards (VIDEO)

Dr. King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech nails our current political climate

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Like most of America, you probably know Martin Luther King Jr. from the pages of your history book -- a charismatic and often controversial Baptist minister and social activist who was assassinated for his belief that all men should live as equals in 1968. Martin Luther King Jr. undoubtedly left his mark and created a tidal wave of social change that we are still seeing the ripple effects of today. If you want to go back to where it all began, to the heart of his social platform, it all starts with one powerful speech.

More: 10 People who are changing the world for boys and girls, one tweet at a time

Dr. King planted the seeds for the "I Have a Dream" speech during earlier speeches, but he didn't finish the actual speech until the wee hours of that August day. The speech, given during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, was to inspire people to rise up and demand equality for all.Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech on Aug. 28, 1963, to a crowd of over 200,000 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

Watch the "I have a dream" speech

Martin Luther King speech

Martin Luther King speech

Unforgettable excerpts from MLK's groundbreaking speech

The 17-minute address is one of the most iconic speeches of all time. It's worth revisiting this speech to remind ourselves what MLK fought for – and what we should continue to fight for today.

  • "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'"
  • "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
  • "In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men - yes, black men as well as white men - would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds.'"
  • "Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children."


More: 10 Inspirational quotes to ring in the new year right

  • "Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics -- will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
MLK quotes
Image: Getty Images


Updated by Bethany Ramos on 1/13/2016

Cheese may be the cure to cancer after all

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According to a new study by the University of Michigan, nisin — something found in cheese like cheddar, Brie, and Camembert — reduced tumor size in mice. The study was published by the Journal of Applied Microbiology. It seems the preservative killed between 70 and 80 percent of cancer cells in nine weeks. Wow.

Now, I know we see studies like this (and their opposite) every day, but this one actually feels promising. Why? Because cheese. Duh.

More: How a caffeine addict quit coffee once and for all

Now, obviously, researchers are not suggesting we all go eat entire wheels of cheese three times a day. This isn't medicine and the study is still very preliminary. But what it does mean is that cheese, something many people on the trendy paleo diet shy away from, might actually be good for us. And maybe we could also take it as a lesson that cutting any food group, be it dairy or carbs, is actually not a great idea.

Every food has its purpose. I hate to say that to vegans and gluten-free bandwagoners (as in: Not people suffering from actual Celiac), but it's a fact. You want to be healthy? Eat a balanced diet. It's that simple.

More: Why your diet makes you so grumpy

The jury is still out on whether or not this study about cheese has any merit. But one thing we know for sure: all foods have value. So eat what you want in moderation and see your health improve. Viva la France.

20 Songs that should be on your Valentine's Day sex playlist

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More: Best Sex Positions for Valentine's Day

It’s pretty easy to connect the dots and realize that music can affect your sex life too. You may be one of the millions of people who gets revved up when you hear the song you lost your virginity to or maybe bumping hip-hop beats can turn you into an animal in bed. Either way, its not just your imagination. Montréal researchers discovered that listening to good music can have the same effect on your brain as (good) sex, and a 2012 Spotify study confirmed that 40 percent of people found music to be more sexually arousing than touch.

More: Valentine's Day gifts for guys based on your relationship stage

We’re not going to argue with that. But we are going to give you a few great ideas for hot tracks to add to your playlist to make your one-on-one time even hotter. This Valentine’s Day, why not mix things up a bit and make it a night to remember by adding these 20 super sexy songs to your iTunes or Spotify?

  1. “Cater 2 You” by Destiny’s Child - Start out with this song when you’re getting “friendly” with your man, and maybe he’ll return the favor.
  2. "Colorblind" by Counting Crows - Pretend like you’re in the movie Cruel Intentions and recreate the steamy sex scene between Reese and Ryan at home by doing the deed to this sensual song.
  3. "Cosmic Love" by Florence & The Machine - The slow and fast rhythms, not to mention the beautiful melody, ensure a Valentine’s Day for the books.
  4. "Crash Into Me" by Dave Matthews Band - It doesn’t matter who you are or how many times you’ve heard this song. In our opinion, it never gets old (especially in the sack!).
  5. "Glory Box" by Portishead - If this song doesn’t give you the perfect reason to be a woman, we don’t know what else will.
  6. “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen - We might be able to trace an entire generation of ‘80s babies back to the songs on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.
  7. "I Touch Myself" by Divinyls - Consider this an instruction manual for those who don't know how to get the pants-off party started.
  8. "I Want Your Sex" by George Michael - Pretty direct, but has anyone ever accused George Michael of being subtle?
  9. “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye - As cliché as this love-making track may be, there’s not a person alive who doesn’t get at least a little turned on when they hear Marvin croon.
  10. "Let Go" by Frou Frou - Let go of your inhibitions and just jump in. After all, what are you waiting for? It’s Valentine’s Day, baby!
  11. "Mesmerize” by Ja Rule featuring Ashanti - Take things back old school and unleash your inner freak with a little Ja Rule and Ashanti blasting over the sound system.
  12. “Pony” by Ginuwine - The name (and the dirrrty beat) says it all.
  13. "P***y Monster" by Lil Wayne - Save this for your dirtiest of Valentine’s treats when a box of chocolates just won’t cut it.
  14. "Sex On Fire" by Kings of Leon - For those couples who’ve been together forever and don’t take each other too seriously, this is a really fun tune to alternate strip teasing/dancing to.
  15. "Sexy Can I" by Ray J & Yung Berg - One of the many sexy stripper love songs that's easy to picture yourself getting down to.
  16. “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers - An oldie but a goodie that works best during some tender lovin’ foreplay.
  17. "What’s Your Fantasy" by Ludacris - If your guy enjoys dirty rap, he’ll have a blast busting out all the crazy sex moves sung about in this song. Uh, need we say more?
  18. "Where Have You Been" by Rihanna - Get in the groove and let loose to the tunes of Rihanna. This song will totally have your S.O. feeling on top of the world (and hopefully, they’ll be on top of you too).
  19. "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak - Role play as Chris Isaak rolling around with a sexy and kind of naked model on the beach? Yes, please.
  20. "You Make Me Wanna…" by Usher - There’s nothing like a little Usher to heat things up between the sheets. This song will have him wanting to do unspeakable things to you, guaranteed.

More: Sex games just in time for Valentine's Day

Updated by Bethany Ramos on 1/12/2016

Jimmy Fallon's best duets on The Tonight Show

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More: Adele's "Hello" performance with classroom instruments will brighten your day (VIDEO)

The Tonight Show host's duets with celebs have become a long-running staple on the show, and some of Fallon's covers of famous songs are easily as good as — if not better than — the original versions.

For the uninitiated, here are seven of Fallon's best and most classic duets from The Tonight Show.

1. Billy Joel

Jimmy Fallon duet with Billy Joel

Jimmy Fallon duet with Billy Joel

Billy Joel kind of lends awesomeness to everything he does. So combine his insane piano skills with Fallon's voice and over-the-top antics, and then throw in a classic song like the Rolling Stones' "Beast of Burden," and you've got some pretty high quality TV. Check out about halfway through the jam, when Fallon takes his dance moves on top of the piano.

2. Justin Timberlake

Jimmy Fallon duet with Justin Timberlake

Jimmy Fallon duet with Justin Timberlake

If you're not a rap music fan, here's the primer you need: Fallon and Justin Timberlake doing a duet of "History of Rap," an insane mash-up of just about every classic hip-hop jam there ever was. Consider this your crash course.

3. Jack Black

Jimmy Fallon duet with Jack Black

Jimmy Fallon duet with Jack Black

As if a Fallon duet isn't enough, Fallon and Jack Black chose to team up to create a shot-for-shot remake of Extreme's "More Than Words" music video. Hilarity predictably ensues.

4. Bruce Springsteen

Jimmy Fallon duet with Bruce Springsteen

Jimmy Fallon duet with Bruce Springsteen

The Bruce Springsteen duet is particularly hilarious, because not only do he and Fallon rock matching outfits — '80s hair, red bandanas and cutoff denim vests — but they rework "Born to Run" into a parody of Gov. Chris Christie's New Jersey bridge scandal. It's hilariously spot-on.

More: Jimmy Fallon with Kerry Washington's lips is hilariously creepy (VIDEO)

5. Will Smith

Jimmy Fallon duet with Will Smith

Jimmy Fallon duet with Will Smith

While it's not quite the traditional duet, Fallon and Will Smith definitely get musical together — using an iPad app to beatbox Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's "It Takes Two." Yeah, it's pretty much as ridiculous as it sounds.

6. Michael Bublé

Jimmy Fallon duet with Michael Buble

Jimmy Fallon duet with Michael Buble

OK, OK. This one isn't technically on The Tonight Show, it's on Saturday Night Live. But it's so hilarious, there was no way for us not to include it. In the sketch, Bublé is releasing an album full of holiday duets and Fallon stands in to impersonate all of the celebrities on the album, from Sting to Justin Bieber.

7. Kelly Clarkson

Jimmy Fallon duet with Kelly Clarkson

Jimmy Fallon duet with Kelly Clarkson

In one of the most memorable performances of all time, Fallon and Kelly Clarkson performed a mash-up of just about every famous song you can think of. The result is kind of incredible.

More: Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake talk about sex, baby (VIDEO)

Which Jimmy Fallon duet is your favorite?

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