Every mom-to-be is overly excited to be expecting a little creature that will make her life better and happier. Amanda Eckstein, from Indiana, isn’t an exception.
As she was looking forward to welcoming her bundle of joy, she and her husband decided to have a maternity photoshoot and make the beautiful memories live forever. They hired Cincinnati photographer Kristen Zaffiro to take the pictures.
However, both Amanda and her husband believed the photos would turn even more beautiful if they included their horses in them. And boy, they a did great job doing that, because if they hadn’t, their photos wouldn’t gather so much attention by people from all over the country.
As they were trying to get the magnificent creatures to pose for the camera, one of them did something cute beyond words. “We finally got them turned around the correct way and I said, ‘At least you could smile,’” Kristen recalled. Little did she know that the horse named Buckshot would listen to her. Just as she snapped the photo, Buckshoot gave her a huge smile. “When I laughed, he smiled more,” Kristen said of the smiling animal.
Of course, looking at Buckshoot smiling and posing made everyone laugh.
Along with the photos Kristen shared on her Facebook page, she wrote: “I laughed so hard! Best maternity session ever.”
For some of the photos, the animals got into a “serious” mood. And in one of them, one of the horses nuzzled its nose into Amanda’s pregnant belly, and we have to agree, it looks totally beautiful.
It is obvious that this family loves their horses unconditionally.
Being a mom means having a lot on your plate. But moms won’t be dubbed real-life superheroes if they don’t balance between all of their commitments. No matter how tired they are, their children’ needs will always be above their own, and that’s what makes them the most special creatures on Earth.
However, no matter how ready they are to always answer to every task that comes along their way, moms do need a helping hand every now and then.
Source: YouTube Screenshot – FOX Carolina News
Jessica Donnahoo is a mom of 3-year-old boy named Sailor whom she adopted shortly after he was born. Sweet Sailor was diagnosed with optic nerve hypoplasia and Chairi malformation of the brain at birth. Sadly, it means he’s blind.
One day, as Jessica was doing chores around the house while taking care of Sailor at the same time, Robert Kinney, a technician from Spectrum, came to their place to set up their TV for streaming.
Speaking to Good Morning America, Jessica explained that her son sensed someone was there, so he reached his arms towards Robert. Besides being busy fixing the TV, the kind technician took Sailor in his arms and continued working like that for the next 45 minutes. He only put him down when he needed to grab some of his equipment from the van.
That left Jessica with enough time to take care of the “chaos” in the house, and that included her laundry and a bunch of other things she pushed back before.
Source: YouTube Screenshot – FOX Carolina News
Sharing the heart-melting encounter between her son and the internet technician, Jessica told Good Morning America: “He would bounce Sailor using one arm to hold him and make internet adjustments with the other. As a momma, I was incredibly grateful for his kindness.”
She also posted a photo of Robert and Sailor on her Facebook page, and sent a letter to Robert’s company, Spectrum, writing: “He snuggled him close while I folded laundry. It was a huge relief to this tired momma. Robert could have walked in, rushed, and left but instead, he saw a need greater than internet and met it. That’s beyond customer service- it’s humanity at its best.”
Needless to say, Jessica’s post has been seen, shared, and commented on hundreds of times.
Source: Flickr – Will Buckner
“I think the reason that this act of kindness has resonated with so many people is that we can all relate — as parents, grandparents or just anyone who has been overwhelmed. In a world of mass shootings, political scandals, and drugs, we all need to be reassured that humanity and kindness still exist. Rob and my post did just that,” she shared with Good Morning America.
Source: YouTube Screenshot – FOX Carolina News
Robert, who is a single father of a 4-year-old, said he only did what everyone else would when a child approaches them. However, he had no idea how much his act meant to Jessica.
“For them to adopt him and take care of him on a daily basis is much more than what I did for a short period of time,” he shared with Good Morning America, “God really has blessed that family and will continue to do so because of the kind and gentle spirit they have. They deserve more recognition than anyone.”
Source: YouTube Screenshot – FOX Carolina News
What a beautiful story. For more check out the video below.
The moment Maxine and Jake Young from Pennsylvania started dating, they knew they were each other’s soulmate. And yes, they knew they wanted a big family and a lot of kids. But did they ever believe they will end up being a mom and a dad of nine? Well, not exactly.
They married in 2016 and in early 2017, they attended a foster training. After successfully completing it, the the Youngs became foster parents of three children aged 2, 4, and 11 months. Shortly after, they opened the doors to their home and hearts to another baby, the sibling of the kids they fostered already.
Having four kids felt amazing. According to what Jacob’s mom wrote on GoFundMe, “Jacob was completely on board and loved the idea of having a house filled with lots of love and laughter, maybe a little bit of chaos too!”
Despite having their hands full already, both Maxine and Jacob wanted to have a biological child. This wasn’t really easy because before they welcomed their son Henry into the world in October, 2018, she had to undergo a number of treatments, including IVF and IUI.
Maxine started feeling strange and her heart was telling her she was pregnant again. She wasn’t sure, however, because she didn’t believe she could conceive naturally, knowing she had her son through an IVF, but her intuition didn’t fail her.
During the first doctor’s appointment, things got interesting. “As soon as she (the doctor) started the scan I could see she had a surprised look on her face. It was very clear when you looked at the screen that there were three pregnancy sacs, all about the same size, you could also see yolk sacs and even fetal poles. She looked at me and said “welp, it looks like there are three babies growing in there!” I started nervously laughing and was in complete shock and I asked her if everything looked normal and if the babies were measuring on track, they were, 6 weeks on the dot. I had another scan scheduled for the following week”, Maxine wrote on Instagram.
But, there were no three babies, but four, and they came into the world just weeks after the adoption of Youngs’ foster children was finalized.
“Meeting the babies was an indescribable moment. All of the struggles from the past few months were immediately forgotten, the pain and stress didn’t matter, in that moment, everything we have been through was worth it,” the happy and proud mom shared on Facebook.
“Luckily, they’re all doing really well, and we’re really grateful,” says a happy Maxine.
What one young boy did for his siblings melted thousands of hearts. Now the entire community considers him a hero, but he says that he only did what anyone else would if found in his situation.
Deacon Ashmore, a six-grader, was out with his two little sisters, his brother, and some of their friends when two dogs started running towards them. The creatures started barking angrily and attacked the little ones. It was then when Deacon decided to fight the dogs with his bare hands. He told the kids to run to safety as he continued struggling to defeat the dogs who at that point started biting him.
Source: YouTube Screenshot – FOX 2 Detroit
Although he got scared himself, he cared more for his siblings’ well-being than his own. Sadly, one of the dogs sank its teeth into Deacon’s leg and tore through his muscle. There was blood everywhere, but Deacon didn’t stop trying to release himself. Luckily, shortly after, the dogs ran away.
His father, Peter, told Detroit Press that Deacon was rushed into the hospital after the accident where he was given medical help. Doctors needed to fix his tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Even during his surgery, Deacon didn’t stop asking if his little brother was okay.
Source: YouTube Screenshot – FOX 2 Detroit
Deacon was adopted from Ethiopia when he was very young, but he loves his family to the moon and back. He never felt like he was not his parents’ biological son.
Speaking of her son’s bravery, mom Elizabeth said: “For him, it wasn’t a second thought, that’s the kind of big brother he is.”
Source: YouTube Screenshot – FOX 2 Detroit
Although the surgery went well, Deacon’s path to full recovery would be long, and that means huge medical expenses. That is why a member of their church, Clete Bontrager, set up a GoFundMe to help the family.
“Many of you know Deacon Ashmore as a great young man! Deacon proved that Monday evening. His leg was mauled by a dog while playing outside with his siblings. Deacon stepped between the two dogs and his siblings so they could run to the house, but in doing so had his leg badly mangled,” the page said.
Detroit boy, 12, mauled by dog hailed as hero for saving his three younger siblings https://t.co/GG7A7aQ7co
Major media outlets and magazines have reported that the legendary group ABBA is together again for a new album after 40 years. And as we are all looking forward to new pieces of music, let’s see what one of the group members, Frida Lyngstad, was doing ever since the group split.
Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad was born in Norway, but she moved to Sweden when she was just 18 months old. Her father disappeared during the World War II and her mother died when Frida was just 2 years old. She only learned her dad didn’t die years later, when the two reunited.
Wikipedia Commons
Her first public performance was for a Red Cross Charity Event when she was 11. It was a moment of revelation for young Frida who knew that music and singing were her calling. “I never had any other plans. As a 7-year-old I knew that it was a singer I was going to be,” she said in a 1973 interview. She was part of several bands throughout her young years and even signed for EMI records, but didn’t really achieve major commercial success at the time.
Frida married her first husband, Ragnar Fredricsson, in 1964. The two had two children together, but called it quits after only six years together.
Youtube/ABBA
In 1969, Frida met Benny Andersson, a very talented musicians who was working together with Björn Ulveaus, who was at the time dating Agnetha Faltskog. Frida fell for Benny and the two started dating. The idea behind forming a group started after Frida and Agneta featured as background singers on the 1970 Bjorn and Benny album Lycka [Happiness].
The group first started performing under the name Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid. ABBA was only born after the four members experienced huge success in Melodifestivalen, the Swedish qualification competition for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Their song Waterloo took the world by storm and helped their careers skyrocket. Well, the rest is history. Other hits followed and soon after, the ABBA mania spread all over the world.
Fernando, Dancing Queen, Money, Money, Money, Knowing Me, Knowing You, Chiquitita, The Winner Takes It All, Super Trouper, Take A Chance On Me, and Lay All Your Love On Me, are just some of the evergreens this group has under their belts.
Frida and Benny got married in 1978. It was the year the group experienced troubles. They divorced in 1981, and continued working together for some time, but they all felt they should pursue careers on their own.
After the divorce, Frida tried to reinvent her image. “I changed my whole style. I cut my hair very short, you know, very spiky and I became another woman in a way. So it manifested itself mostly like that,” she told The Guardian.
“We felt like we had something so valuable in the group that, even though it was difficult, we didn’t want to break that up,” Benny Andersson said. “And to prove it, we did some of our best stuff after that.”
After ABBA, Frida released solo albums, including Something’s Going On, Shine, and Deep Breaths, after which she decided to step out of the spotlight.
In 2016, the members reunited in order to mark 50 years since Benny and Björn first met. Frida and Agneta performed together after so many years and fans went wild. Their performance brought back all the memories of the time the group was stealing the hearts of people from every corner of Earth. It brought nostalgia and many felt as though magic was taking place on that stage.
In 1992, Frida married her third husband, Prince Heinrich Ruzzo Reuss, Count of Plauen. Sadly, he passed away in 1999. Besides losing her husband, Frida experienced another heartbreak. Her daughter Ann tragically died at the age of 30 after a car accident in New York.
“It was an indescribable sorrow,” she said. “You feel like you barely can survive it. When my daughter and husband passed, I felt like I was forced into believing in something else. Otherwise, it would’ve been very hard to get through it.
“It took many many years of indescribable sorrow. I haven’t spoken about it for a long time, it was a tough journey.”
Youtube/Guskoldaba
Today, Frida lives in Switzerland with her British boyfriend Henry Smith. “Henry is my supporter, my friend and my love. I hope it will remain that way,” the singer says.
At the time, except for being busy working with her ABBA co-workers, she’s also writing. “It might be a book, a musical, a movie, I don’t know yet,” she told Swedish news outlet Damernas Varld. “I’ve written plenty throughout my live but never a book. It was easy at first, but right now, I’m at a dead end.”
Youtube/Skavlan
Frida will always be considered one of the best female singers in the history of music.
One of the most noticeable features of The White House, besides its grandsome structure, is the Rose Garden. First formed by First Lady Ellen Wilson, the first wife of President Woodrow Wilson, it replaced the colonial garden by President Theodore Roosevelt’s wife, First Lady Edith Roosevelt. In fact, throughout the years, each First Lady added a personal touch to this place.
Melania Trump wasn’t an exception. However, unlike those redecorating the Rose Garden in the past, Meania faced harsh criticism by the wide public and a group of historians who mocked her taste and claimed she stole the garden’s soul by getting rid of the 10 crabapple trees, planted during John F. Kennedy’s time in office. ”What happened to the trees?” Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief and Washington Correspondent, wondered. The White House answered at the time that the trees were casting too much shadow on the flowers and that they would be planted at other places around The White House. This answer, however, didn’t put those concerned about the Rose Garden’s new look at ease.
Flickr / Trump White House Archived
Among the rest, Melania strengthened the infrastructure around the garden, set up new cameras, audio visual equipment, paving, drainage and lighting. She also made the place more accessible for people with disabilities. One of the things she also added was the limestone walking path bordering the central lawn, flanked by treeless beds.
The Rose Garden isn’t just a place for enjoyment. It is also where many conferences and other special occasions take place.
“Decades of use and necessary changes made to support the modern presidency have taken a toll on the garden and have made it more difficult to appreciate the elegant symmetry of the Mellon plan,” the White House wrote in a press release.
Flickr / Trump White House Archived
”If this isn’t a Marie Antionette moment I don’t know what is. Who cares about a redesigned rose garden when we’re in the middle of a pandemic, 175k+ people are dead and millions are out of work?” New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow tweeted. And he wasn’t the only one who showed their rage at Melania.
Michael Beschloss, a presidential historian and author, called Melania’s redesign of the garden an ”evisceration.” “Evisceration of White House Rose Garden was completed a year ago this month, and here was the grim result—decades of American history made to disappear,” Beschloss wrote on Twitter.
The Rose Garden in 1988 / The U.S. National Archives
Melania, however, didn’t respond to the criticism, but now, as a year passed by since the redesign of the garden and people still lash out at her, she decided to answer back.
Her office posted a photo of the garden with all of the roses lifted up high in their glory and charm and tweeted back at Beschloss: ”@BeschlossDC has proven his ignorance by showing a picture of the Rose Garden in its infancy. The Rose Garden is graced with a healthy & colourful blossoming of roses. His misleading information is dishonorable & he should never be trusted as a professional historian.”
.@BeschlossDC has proven his ignorance by showing a picture of the Rose Garden in its infancy. The Rose Garden is graced with a healthy & colorful blossoming of roses. His misleading information is dishonorable & he should never be trusted as a professional historian. https://t.co/LU243SANF1pic.twitter.com/PuVOSjxx5w
— Office of Melania Trump (@OfficeofMelania) August 8, 2021
Jill Biden seems to be one of those people who appreciate what the former First Lady did with the garden. Recently, she posted a photos of the beautiful flowers with the caption: “Spring is here at the @WhiteHouse!”
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, they say, and in the case of Sosie Bacon that turns to be very true. This incredibly talented young actress was lucky to inherit her famous parents’ genes and talents.
Sosie is the daughter of Kavin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, one of those Hollywood couples many envy because they stood the test of time and showed the world that celebrity couples do stay together forever.
When the couple first met, Kyra was still just a girl. She and her brother went to see a movie and met Kavin after. Around 10 years later, they bumped into one another again on the set of Lemon Sky but Kyra wasn’t into him and told Wide Open Country, “I vividly remember looking at his butt when he walked away after we first met and thinking, Well, I guess some girls like that.” She probably had no idea back then that Bacon would be the man she will spend her life with.
Shutterstock
Kevin and Kyra got married in 1988 and welcomed son Travis into their lives a year later. Sosie was born on March 15, 1992. Her mom revealed how her girl got the name after Sosie Hublitz, the art director of the movie Miss Rose White she finished filming shortly before giving birth.
Both Travis and Sosie acted along their famous mom in the movie Loverboy in 2005 which was directed by their dad. Travis, however, decided to pursue a career in music, while Sosie continued with her acting career.
Loverboy put Sosie under the spotlight and her performance impressed many, including The Closer‘s producer James Duff who invited the talented girl to step on-screen and offered her the role of Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson’s niece Charlie.
This role was even bigger breakthrough for Sosie, but as everyone was looking forward to her new projects, she decided to take a short break and finish her education.
Sosie took other roles and starred in a number of movies, “Basic Witches,” “Wishin’ and Hopin,’ “Lady Loney,” and “Another Life.”
When she was 21, Sosie was awarded the Miss Golden Globe award and her father couldn’t be any happier for his girl’s success.
Speaking to MTV News, he admitted he was “actually sort of astounded at how easily she has slipped into this. The last couple of days, she’s been up at the crack of dawn and going around and doing interviews.”
Shutterstock
When she turned 22, Sosie was cast for the leading role in the independent thriller Off Season. More recently, she has appeared in the second season of the Netflix hit series 13 Reasons Why, and she’s featuring in the upcoming Charles Manson drama Charlie Says.
When they earn enough money to live comfortably for the rest of their lives, some people get greedy and only want to see their fortune pile up, while others decide to share a large portion of it with the less fortunate.
The name Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao is one of the greatest in the history of boxing. Coming from a poor neighborhood in the Philippines and not being able to afford any commodities early in life, this man achieved what seemed unachievable for someone who struggled as much as him at the beginning.
Pacquiao is the sole eight-division world champion in the history of boxing and has won twelve major world titles. He has been inside the boxing ring with professionals such as Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Timothy Bradley and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Showing incredible strength and out of this world moves and speed, Pacquiao made a name for himself and “boxed” his ways into millions of dollars.
The great thing about Pacquiao is that he’s more than willing to share those millions with his fellow Filipinos who are in need of help.
Believe it or not, so far, Pacquiao has helped build over 1000 homes in the Sarangani province, which is known to be one of the poorest in the country. He knows what it feels like to be homeless because until the age of 12, he didn’t have a roof over his head. But then, he learned he was great at boxing and his life changed for the best.
Pacquiao is aware he is one of the few lucky ones who escaped the poverty and he now shares his luck with those who need it the most.
Source: Facebook – Senator Manny Pacquiao
For more on this incredible athlete and his impact on the rural parts of his native country please check out the video below.
How would you react if your son is dating someone 35 years their senior? Maybe you will get mad and you won’t be glad, but Drue, the father of Madonna’s new boyfriend doesn’t feel that way, and as a lot of people are attacking the pop icon, 27-year-old Ahlamalik “Malik” Williams’ parents are happy he’s dating the star.
Shutterstock
Madonna first rose to fame with her incredible dancing skills. In fact, while at university, the Michigan native was offered a scholarship on their dance program, which she was more than happy to accept. However, she always knew she was born for great things so she went to the city where all dreams come true, New York.
It was Dan Gilroy whom she dated during the late ’70s that introduced Madonna to music and offered her the position of a lead singer in his band. She was later part of other bands including Madonna & The Sky and The Millionaires before she started a solo career.
Youtube/ninzter
During a 2015 interview with Vice, the Queen of Pop recalled her beginnings in the music industry. “It wasn’t until I really decided to switch into being a musician and a songwriter, and I moved to the Lower East Side, that I started meeting artists like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol.”
“While I felt we all fed off each other’s energy and we were all inspired by each other and jealous of each other, collaborating with each other, I had no idea then what their place in the world would be now. But not my own, either. So we were just artists having fun, happy that anyone was interested in our work.”
Shutterstock
It was in 1993 that Madonna released her first out of 14 studio albums simply titled Madonna.
This album was a huge hit and people from all over the country learned of her name. During an appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, when asked about her ambitions regarding music, Madonna said, “To rule the world.” These words became reality and many magazines often refer to this interview when speaking of her incredible success.
Instagram/madonna
“I may have been insecure, I may have felt like a nobody, but I knew I had to do something,” Madonna told The Guardian on the classic quote. “If I was going to make something out of my life, I had to, you know, hurl myself into the dark space, go down the road less traveled. Otherwise, why live?”
Her second album, Like a Virgin, reached the top of the charts and she sold over 3.5 million copies thus cemented her place in the world of music forever. She’s still the one and only Queen of Pop music and it seems like a lot of water will pass under the bridge before someone takes her spot.
Youtube/madonna
When it comes to her private life, Madonna never really kept it private. She was married twice. Her first husband is actor Sean Penn with whom she was together for four years before she married director Guy Ritchie with whom she has son Rocco. Madonna has another biological child, daughter Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, and four adopted children.
Her love life has always sparked controversy, and today, she’s dating her dancer Ahlamalik Williams, 27. The couple was first spotted together last year and they are no longer hiding that they are together.
Instagram/Madonna
Malik first met the superstar back in 2015 when he was part of her Rebel Heart Tour. In 2017, he wished her a happy birthday on his Instagram and now, they share a lot of photos of one another.
He has a very successful career as a dancer and his videos of complex dance routines stun millions. Malik, who is from California, moved to Las Vegas to work as a street performer and was later part of Cirque de Soleil’s Michael Jackson: One show.
Among those who criticize Madonna for dating someone that young is Wendy Williams. “He is three years older than her daughter, Lourdes. They’re all on the same vacation, and there’s old grandma booed up with a 25-year-old,” Wendy Williams told Hollywood Life. “You know what, she’s become that old lady that I feel bad for. Because, I don’t think she understands that it’s ok to grow older gracefully. Like, we do stuff, we go through stuff. If a 26-year-old girl is lucky, she’ll live to be 61 like you, Madonna. It’s ok!”
Madonna was dating young men in the past as well. At the time she was together with another of her dancers, 24-year-old Brahim Zaibat, she told The Billboard, “I didn’t write down on a piece of paper, I’m now going to have a relationship with a younger man. You see, that’s the romantic in me. I just met someone that I cared for. This happens to be his age, I don’t want to live life on my own. I love being a mother, but I need a partner in life.”
Well, for some, age is just a number, and Madonna has obviously found her happiness with Malik.
Dr. Nowzaradan, or “Dr. Now” as we all know him, is probably one of the most famous bariatric surgeons out there. This incredible man has helped change the lives of a number of people from all over the country who struggle with their weight. We love watching him in one of the most popular TLC shows, My 600-lb Life.
One of the participants of the show who was given a new lease on life is Chad Dean, a Maryland man who weighted 701 pounds at his heaviest.
Youtube/BCN7
According to Chad, he has always been big, even when he was very young. That, however, didn’t stop him from playing football and being active during his childhood. But as time passed by, he started eating more and more junk food and reached 400 pounds. Chad tried following into his father and brother’s footsteps and became a chef, but his back problems prevented him from pursuing a career in the culinary industry. Instead, he became a truck driver and spent most of his days sitting behind the wheel.
During the time he worked as a driver, Chad gained 300 more pounds and weighed 700. “On the road, you’re sitting all day long, so you’re grabbing soda, chips, pizza, McDonald’s, things that are easy to eat,” he explained. “That’s what’s available at the truck stops.”
On top of that, he once fell from the edge of the truck and got a nasty injury which forced him to stay home. This only made things with his weight worse. “For the driving-test component, I climbed up the side to get in the truck, and I just fell over backwards,” he recalled. “My pride was shattered. The one thing I really enjoyed doing, I couldn’t do again.”
Youtube/BCN7
As both Chad and his family realized he couldn’t be living that kind of life any longer, his wife Ayesha recorded a video of him and sent it to TLC. That was the start of the first day of this man’s new life.
Once he got accepted on the show, the family moved to Texas and met with incredible Dr. Now.
“When he accepted me as a patient — that right there was the reality check,” Chad told Men’s Health. “To have someone take an interest in helping me when no one else wanted to, you can’t put a price tag on it.”
Facebook/ChadDean
After Chad lost 51 pounds on his own, he was ready to go under the so much wanted bariatric surgery, a procedure which makes the part of the stomach which receives the food smaller and helps achieve weight loss.
Believe it or not, over the years, Chad lost over 400 pounds. In the beginning he still had a hard time walking, but he never gave up. Thanks to Dr. Now and his personal trainer Brad Tillery, Chad gained back his body’s functionality.
“Never in a million years did I ever expect myself to be smaller at the age of 46 than I was at age 18,” Chad said. “Right now, from what my life used to be, I’m in heaven.”
Speaking to Men’s Health, the trained said: “With so much extra weight, he wasn’t able to move really well, so we did a combination of strength training, muscle training, conditioning, and kind of moved forward from there. He came in about three to four times a week.”
Facebook/ChadDean
The best thing about Chad is that he manages to control his weight now and haven’t gained any additional pounds in years. His meals mainly consist of healthy food, and that includes meat, fish, and lots of vegetables.
Of course, like any other human being, Chad eats junk food every once in a while, but he learned how to control his craving. “I try to take my mind off of the cravings,” he explains. “Whether it’s lifting weights or turning the radio up, you just have to get your mind off of it. And I try to reward myself once a month, but the day I do reward myself, I exercise a little bit more.”
Facebook/ChadDean
Today, when Chad has the control over his life again, he’s helping others achieve their goals and lose weight. His journey is an inspiration for millions who have seen the show. He has written a memoir, I’m In Here Somewhere: Memoir of a Food Addict, where he speaks of his struggles and what kept him going.
Its description reads, “Chad’s greatest hope is that others may learn from his mistakes, recognize their own decline into addiction, and pass on the knowledge to others that are still in gripping denial.”
Youtube/Life&Style
“Mine was an extreme case; however being even 40-50 pounds overweight is leading to, or already causing, internal issues,” Chad said in an interview with The Ashely’s Reality Roundup. “I wrecked my spleen and liver, which are now thankfully recovered. Every day I thank the stars that I didn’t annihilate my heart. Think about the stress to your ligaments and bones.
“Yes, it’s hard to change your lifestyle,” he added. “But it’s even harder to try to recover what you’re steadily destroying day by day.”
Believe it or not, a 22-month-old girl from Russia who wandered into the forest last Tuesday was found safe and sound after four long days. Little Lyuda Kuzina managed to survive without food or water, although searchers believe she drank water from the streams. Her body was covered in insect bites, and luckily, she somehow stayed away from the wolfs and the bears the Tyomkinsky area is knows for.
Lyuda was playing in the garden with her 4-year-old sister while her mother, Antonina Kuzina, was chatting to a neighbor when the girl headed towards the woods.
Hundreds of professionals and volunteers joined the search. They all feared the worst when they failed to locate the toddler the first day as the nights dipped down to 50 degrees.
“There was such despair when she was lost,” Antonina said, as reported by the Mirror. “So many people were looking and not finding her, we thought maybe she had been knocked by a car or kidnapped. After three nights in the forest, of course, we already thought that at best we will find her unconscious. On the second night there was a heavy shower, and the third night was cold.”
On the fourth day, the search team stopped to take a rest when they heard a noise. To their surprise and huge relief, it was Lyuda.
“The volunteers told me they hadn’t been far away from the spot on the first day,” Antonina said, according to BBC. “It was only on the fourth day when they heard a ‘squeak’ that they found her in some branches under a tree.”
The moment they spotted her, the search team assured Lyuda that everything was going to be just fine. They told her she was the bravest girl in the Universe. She, on the other hand, started telling them fairytales and told them she was a princess.
“Lyuda immediately stretched out her thin arms and snuggled tightly to her rescuers,” a member of the search team told a local newspaper. “Everyone cried — experienced and first time volunteers, local residents, everyone was sobbing.”
Lyuda was taken to the hospital where she recovered from the bug bites and nettle rashes.
“She’s quite adamant she’ll never run away from Mum again,” Antonina said, according to the BBC. “Although quite how long she’ll remember that promise, I have no idea. But at least she says so.”
We are glad Lyuda was found and we hope she would keep her promise to never embark on such a scary adventure again.
As kids, we were often told how an act of kindness can go a long way, but it turns out that these days being kind may get you into trouble.
Bonnie Kimball is an awesome lady who worked at the school cafeteria of Mascoma Valley Regional High School. She really loved her job, although she was given wide array of responsibilities that included operating the cash register, selling drinks, making ice-cream and smoothies, and more.
“We didn’t even call it work. We got up in the morning, we took care of our families and we went to take care of the kids,” she said during an interview.
Source: GoFundMe
One day while on the job, a student filled his lunch tray with items worth $8 but didn’t have the money to pay for them. After he told Bonnie about it, she said he could have them and asked him to tell his mom about it so that she could add money to his account.
Bonnie simply couldn’t let the boy stay hungry and she was certain his parents would pay for the lunch as soon as he informs them about it, which is exactly what happened.
This kind act of hers was noticed by the district manager of Café Services – the food services company that employed her, and he believed what Bonnie did was simply wrong. So instead of a praise, she was given the sack.
This happened on March 28, only a day after she let that boy eat the lunch his parents paid for as soon as they were notified about it.
Bonnie recalls how the manager walked past her that day and asked her what was on the boy’s tray. The following day she was handed a letter of termination and was told “not to cause any scenes with the contract.”
“‘Do you understand what you did was wrong? That was theft,’” Bonnie said she was told.
Café Services released a statement once Bonnie’s case was exposed to the public. A spokesperson said that they “would never authorize an employee to not feed a student or staff member a meal.”
Jaime Matheson, the director of human resources, added:
“Although we are not at liberty to discuss the confidential details regarding an employee’s employment or termination from employment, we can share that the company has policies and procedures in place that are shared with and acknowledged by team members.”
“When established policies and procedures are not followed corrective action is put in place up to and including termination.”
Source: GoFundMe
The letter of termination, however, clearly stated that the reason for Bonnie losing the job was the incident with the boy. This is what it read:
“On March 28, a District manager was on-site and witnessed a student coming through the line with multiple food items that you did not charge him for. This is a strict violation of our Cash Handling Procedures, the Schools Charge Policy and Federal Regulation governing free meals.”
Two colleagues of Bonnie who said they would act the same if they were her quit their job as a sign of protest against the company and its ridiculous policies.
“These guys really took care of our kids. They put our kids first and their focus was really our kids,” Christina Moodie, a mom of a student from the school said.
Bonnie really misses being around the kids. One may say her job wasn’t anything special and she can always find another one, but the fact is that she really enjoyed working there and she now feels really sad.
“I’m just dealing with so much right now: the public, paperwork. One minute I’m mad and the next minute, I just want to forget it all happened. I guess I’m mourning my job,” she said.
The school district has nothing to do with the incident as Bonnie was hired and later fired by the Café Services. But the school renewing their contract with Bonnie’s former employers speaks of the fact that they didn’t really care for Bonnie’s case.
New Hampshire school cafeteria worker fired for giving food to student who couldn’t pay – WHBQ! The hero is Bonnie Kimball! If she needs a job we have openings at @thinkfoodgroup if you know her, let her know! @NewHampJournal https://t.co/o7JHXgRtn6
However, after the story spread around, the mother of the boy in question was reported to have shared on Facebook that Bonnie giving her son a free meal wasn’t why she was fired. “I have three children, and they are all well-cared for and well-fed,” the mother told the Union Leader, as quoted by The Washington Post. “She did not get fired for feeding a hungry child.”
The president of the Café Services, Brian Stone, on the other hand, claimed that Bonnie had given the teenager much more than just one meal. “This student hadn’t been charged for anything for the previous three months,” Brian said. “This employee was dishonest and was let go for not following procedures.”
Do you believe Bonnie’s termination is unjustified? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
Police officers are those people who go above and beyond for the safety of the members of their community, not because their job requires them to do so, but because they are simply used to doing good and being there for people in trouble.
As officer Gilbert Troche of the San Pablo Police Department was out with his family, he noticed a woman by the side of the road. She was standing next to her car and had her baby in her arms. From what officer Troche could see, the woman was clearly distressed and in need of help.
“She appeared to be crying hysterically,” he said, according to KRON-TV. “She was holding her baby kind of against her shoulder, so I stopped the car, I jumped out, and I went over to her.”
Without hesitating, he rushed towards her and asked her if everything was okay, but it was then that he noticed her baby wasn’t breathing.
Officer Troche grabbed the little one and started performing CPR. He then told the mother to call 911. Luckily, the baby’s throat cleared up, it threw up, and then started crying. It was the sound everyone was hoping for.
The department shared the incredible story on their Facebook page, praising Officer Troche’s brave act.
“This past weekend our very own Officer Troche was out enjoying his time off with his family when they came across a mother stopped on the road in a state of distress.
“Officer Troche realized her baby was having a medical emergency and he leapt into action. He began life-saving measures on the infant and was able to get the baby breathing again.
“Officer Troche’s heroic actions are nothing short of a miracle and we are extremely proud to have him as a member of our Police Department. His quick thinking and decisive action no doubt saved a life.”
Needless to say, he was dubbed a hero by everyone who has stumbled upon the uplifting story.
“I definitely don’t feel like a hero,” Officer Troche said. “I think that anybody in that situation that [had] seen her there as distraught as she was would have probably tried to do the same thing.”
Seven months have passed since the Capitol riots during which five people lost their lives. One of them was Officer Brian D. Sicknick who was severely injured while physically engaging with the rioters who stormed the Capitol in an attempt to overturn Trump’s defeat in the 2020 presidential elections.
“He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” the Capitol Police statement said at the time of his death.
Three other people were reported to have died of “medical emergencies,” according to the police. The fifth person who lost their life during the riot was 35-year-old Ashli Babbitt from Huntington, Maryland, an ardent Trump supporter who held strong political views.
Babbitt was fatally shot in the shoulder by a member of the US Capitol Police. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Exclusive: The Capitol cop who shot Trump backer Ashli Babbitt told @LesterHoltNBC he’s been in hiding after death threats — but knows he did the right thing. “I know I saved countless lives,” said Lt. Michael Byrd. For more watch @NBCNightlyNews tonight. https://t.co/1F51H1fVOD
Months after the fatal riots, the officer who shot her, Lt. Michael Byrd, gave interview to NBC News’ Lester Holt and spoke of the shocking events that led to his decision to fire a weapon, calling it his “last resort.”
“I tried to wait as long as I could,” he revealed during the interview. “I hoped and prayed no one tried to enter through those doors. But their failure to comply required me to take the appropriate action to save the lives of members of Congress and myself and my fellow officers.”
It was his responsibility to protect the House members who were inside the U.S. House of Representatives chamber.
“Once we barricaded the doors, we were essentially trapped where we were,” Byrd said. “There was no way to retreat. No other way to get out. If they get through that door, they’re into the House chamber and upon the members of Congress,” he added.
“I was staggered to learn that it was Lt. Byrd who made that announcement on the floor of the House. For the last 7 months I have wondered who was it who was trying to help save our lives,” @RepDean says thanking U.S. Capitol Police Officer Lt. Michael Byrd. #TheReidOut#reiderspic.twitter.com/wUyuGQZCBE
Byrd told the lawmakers to take off their pins and “blend” with the staff members in case they get close to the rioters. He was only able to know what was going on from what he could hear from the police radio; screams by his fellow officers who were attacked with chemical agents.
“It was literally broadcast over the air,” Byrd recalled. “I said, ‘OK, this is getting serious.’”
As rioters started smashing the glass doors in an attempt to get their way into the chambers, Babbitt climbed through one of the doors. After pleading the mob to get back, Byrd fired the gun.
Officer who shot Ashli Babbitt speaks after months in hiding: ‘I saved countless lives’:
-That took balls to show himself amid death threats. Lt. Michael Byrd is a true HERO! A real patriot. pic.twitter.com/m8HY0RYoLy
— Dr. Jeff Rabinowitz (#VotesBlueIn22) (@rxjef77) August 27, 2021
Once the public learned it was him who killed Babbitt, he and his family started getting life threats on a daily basis. No matter how devastated he felt, Byrd says he believes he did what he had to. “I know that day I saved countless lives,” he said. “I know members of Congress, as well as my fellow officers and staff, were in jeopardy and in serious danger. And that’s my job.”
Byrd has been cleared of wrongdoing by the Justice Department and the Capitol Police. He claims that he had never had a political agenda, something he’s been accused of. On the contrary, when Trump was president, he escorted him through the Capitol numerous times.
“I do my job for Republican, for Democrat, for white, for Black, red, blue, green. I don’t care about your affiliation,” Byrd added.
Lt. Michael Byrd, who shot Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt during the Capitol riot, says he has been in hiding for months after he received a flood of death threats and racist attacks.
“I believe I showed the utmost courage on Jan. 6 and it’s time for me to do that now” pic.twitter.com/2kaAxy8yGc
He wants people to understand that he was only doing his job the best he could. There was imminent threat and danger to the members of Congress, and he only did what he believed was the right thing to do. He concluded his interview saying: “I just want the truth to be told.”
The floods which struck Tennessee claimed many lives and destroyed a huge number of houses and properties.
Despite the terrifying road conditions, a man named Tyler Stanley started his car and went to check on his daughter who was affected by the rising water. He took his mother with him and hoped he would reach his girl on time. As they were driving along the train tracks, which were elevated above the water, they spotted an elderly couple and their three dogs stuck inside a nearly submerged truck.
Although he was in a rush to get to his daughter’s place, Stanley was aware that time was running out for the couple, and in case he didn’t stop and try to save them, they could easily drown.
Bonnie and Doug Whitfield, 71, noticed Stanley stopping his car. They felt relieved knowing they were now standing a chance to be saved.
Stanley threw a rope towards Bonnie and Doug and told them to hold onto it and let the current drag them near him. It was then when he managed to pull them to safety. The three pups were rescued too.
“My goodness, this guy — you know, he stopped to help us when he was trying to find his children, you know,” Doug recalled. “He was, he — he was on a mission, a, a dire mission himself, you know.”
After the successful rescue mission, Stanley managed to locate his daughter, and they were all able to get home safely.
As for Bonnie and Doug, all of their 12 properties were completely flooded and destroyed, but they were lucky to be alive. Their children got into contact with Stanley and thanked him for saving their parents from certain death. They told him that they consider him family now and will be sending Christmas presents every year.
“And the dogs, too. He saved the dogs,” Bonnie said. “I would say, I love you, 10,000 angels around you.”
“He’s very kind-hearted,” Doug added. “[A] real gentleman.”
Grandparents are awesome. Everyone who got the chance to spend their childhood days by their side has to be a very lucky person. These people are full of wisdom and knowledge, and they can teach us a lot about the journey called life. What they enjoy the most is spending time with their grandchildren who they get to spoil rotten. We all know that whenever the parents say no, grandmas and grandpas are there to say yes.
David Waterhouse is a retired Dallas officer and a grandpa to an amazingly sweet baby named Ty. Besides being an awesome babysitter, this grandfather whom the family fondly calls “Pawpaw” has a great sense of humor. One thing he isn’t really good at is technology. In fact, he has no clue how to use the more advanced mobile phones or other devices which is sometimes the reason for his daughter and the rest of the family to have a good laugh at his expense.
YouTube
When Ty’s mom, Stephanie Waterhouse and her husband took a trip together, they asked Pawpaw to step in and take care of Ty. Needless to say, this proud grandfather was more than happy to spend time alone with the little one. He took a flight to Kentucky and was eagerly waiting for the fun time with Ty.
He had a few surprises for his daughter up his sleeve. Not only he wanted Ty to have a great time, but he also made sure for Stefanie to have a good laugh while away from home. Once you see the unique photos he took of Ty, you’re going to burst out laughing too. This is all way too sweet to handle.
YouTube
What he did was print a bunch of captions while he was still back home in Dallas. He had a plan of taking all these hilarious photos even before he got to Kentucky. He could have done it using Stefanie’s printer, but having said he is a “low-tech” guy, he didn’t want to risk it not knowing how to use hers. This means he was looking forward to spending this fun time with Ty. The little guy has to be really happy to have a Pawpaw like David who loves him to the moon and back.
Stefanie calls these beautiful photos “Memes by Pawpaw” and the interesting part is that her father doesn’t even know what meme is. He’s just goofing around with his most beloved grandson.
YouTube
Actually, David isn’t so clueless when it comes to technology. He might have difficulties understanding how Facebook and other social networking sites work, but when he was younger, he initiated the creation of a database that tracks criminal information for the Dallas Police Department.
His idea was later used by the FBI and served as a model they used for creating the national database.
It looks like David is really a very special guy, both as a police officer and as a grandpa who’s doing things right.
His photos are worth seeing. We hope this will inspire other grandparents out there to make memories like these with their little ones.
Speaking of chefs who made a name for themselves not only because of their incredible cooking skills, but because of their heart of gold, one of the names that comes to mind is that of Guy Fieri. This man is known for going above and beyond for others when they need it the most, and his latest act made us fall for him even more.
As fire departments from all over the country, including the Murrieta Fire and Rescue Department, from Southern California, are battling the Dixie fire, the single largest fire in California history, chef Fieri did his part in helping these brave people by doing what he does best; cook.
Credit: San Jose Fire Department
Murrieta Fire and Rescue shared on their Facebook page that the famous chef made over 1,000 pounds of pulled pork sandwiches on Tuesday for the tireless firefighters and all the people braving the fire. With the help of 25 volunteers, the mayor of “Flavortown” prepared 2,200 meals.
The San Jose Fire Department shared a photo of chef Fieri with the firefighters with the caption: “It’s a challenging & rewarding experience for our members. Big thanks to @GuyFieri for providing meals to crews at the #DixieFire base camp today.”
#SJFD‘s been providing #MutualAid across CA since June. It’s a challenging & rewarding experience for our members. Big thanks to @GuyFieri for providing meals to crews at the #DixieFire base camp today. Also pictured is TF-2278 heading to rotate crews assigned to the #CaldorFire. pic.twitter.com/uN4u7fT98c
Other departments shared similar photos and expressed their gratitude to this incredible man.
Speaking of his gesture, Fieri said: “There’s a lot of first responders who can’t make it to the base camp. So we sent it to the fire lines. We sent it to a lot of the sheriff’s department and CHP that were out blocking roads.“
Last year, he did the same for the first responders of the Sonoma-Lake Napa Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection by preparing 2,774 meals. Chief Fieri was there to offer free meals for the firefighters braving the Santa Rosa fires in 2017, and those participating in the Carr and Camp Fires of 2018.
This is one of those stories you don’t get to stumble upon every day. It is about a reunion like no other; between a U.S. soldier and the three siblings he nearly killed by mistake.
Martin Adler from Florida, now 97 years old, who served in the World War II, and a fellow soldier of the 339th Infantry Regiment entered a house in Bologna, Italy, back in 1944 believing German soldiers were hiding inside.
There, they saw a huge basket and just as they prepared to shoot at it, a mother in distress entered the room and started shouting: “Bambinis! Bambinis! Bambinis!” as she stood in front of Martin’s gun. “That was a real hero, the mother, not me. The mother was a real hero. Can you imagine you standing yourself in front of a gun and screaming ‘Children! No!?” Martin told Associated Press.
Source: Twitter
At that moment, three children, two girls and a boy, aged 3 to 6 years old, jumped out of the basket. Martin and his friend were relieved they didn’t kill those kids. Looking at their cute and puzzled faces, Martin asked the mother if he could take a photo with the little ones. Thankfully, she agreed, and now, over 70 years after it was taken, that photo led to one of the most heart-melting reunions we’ve ever witnessed.
Recently, Martin asked his daughter Rachelle Donley to help him track the children down, and thanks to the social media and one Italian journalist, Matteo Incerti, his wish came true.
Namely, Incerti shared the photo on his Facebook page and asked some friends for help, and in no time, he reached the children, now grandparents. Bruno, Mafalda and Giuliana, who are now 84, 83 and 80 respectively, were over the moon to speak to the man who saved them years ago. They got the chance to talk via a video call, and now, Martin traveled to Bologna to meet them. The veteran was wearing a t-shirt saying ‘Martin’s bambini, forever kids.’
Martin Adler, who is 97, travelled to Bologna in northern Italy to meet Bruno, Mafalda and Giuliana Naldi, who are now in their 80s https://t.co/65B0bsFpKf
Martin’s daughter Rachelle says that her dad still trembles when he’s thinking of the time he nearly killed those children.
“I am so happy and so proud of him. Because things could have been so different in just a second. Because he hesitated, there have been generations of people,” she says.
Guliana’s granddaughter, Roberta Fontana, says that 6 children, 8 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren descended from the three kids hiding in the basket in October 1944.
“Knowing that Martin could have shot and that none of my family would exist is something very big,” she said. “It is very emotional.”
Source: Twitter
We are so glad Martin reunited with Bruno, Mafalda and Giuliana.
A lot of people with Down Syndrome are completely independent. They are no different than most of us when it comes to their mental capacities and capabilities. Despite that, they are often starred at and considered disabled. The truth is that societies have a hard time accepting differences, forgetting that those differences are what make this world a beautiful place.
Source: Facebook / Noelia Garella
Noelia Garella from Argentina has Down Syndrome, but that didn’t prevent her from pursuing her life-long dream of becoming a teacher. Her life hasn’t been an easy one because she was bullied and called names while growing up, and it all started when she was very young. Namely, when her parents tried getting her into preschool, the people working there told them she couldn’t be accepted because she was “a monster.” Those harsh words broke their hearts, but they knew their girl will succeed in life despite what others had to say.
Source: Good Housekeeping
Today, Noelia, who is 31 years old, works as a preschool teacher and is one of the few people with Down Syndrome in the world who hold that position.
“I adore this. Ever since I was little, I have always wanted to be a teacher, because I like children so much,” she says.
We are so glad she found a job which makes her happy.
Source: Good Housekeeping
For more stories about extraordinary teachers check out the video below.
Full House is one of those shows that we can go to over and over again without ever getting bored. I remember enjoying every minute of it during the eight seasons it aired.
Some of the actors that made the show what it is are John Stamos, Bob Saget, twins Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen, Lori Loughlin, and Candace Cameron Bure.
Candace played the role of DJ Tanner, one of the kids of widower Danny Tanner. The moment she appeared on screen, Candace became America’s sweetheart.
Youtube/kriistiy
She loved acting from very early age and seeing her older sister Kirk Cameron being part of the popular sitcom Growing Pains, that love only grew bigger and stronger, so soon after, Candace found herself on the set of what is now considered one of the greatest TV shows ever made; Full House.
Speaking of the time the series was filmed, Candace revealed that she enjoyed it to the fullest from day one. Unlike some child actors who face hard times being on set, Candace’s experience was nothing short of amazing. “There wasn’t a big focus on image and beauty from producers, so I didn’t pay that much attention to it [on set],” she told Good Housekeeping.
“It was the same with my family and my agents. I never had people around me telling me that I had to look a certain way or be a certain weight, and I think that’s half of the battle.”
Youtube/kriistiy
Candace starred in all the episodes of the show and years after it ended, she found herself reprising the role that changed her life forever in the spin-off Fuller House.
“If I am forever known as D.J. Tanner and everyone’s big sister, I will be thrilled and happy,” she said. “Full House and Fuller House have brought so much joy, comfort, and love to so many people. There’s nothing more I want to be associated with than wonderful and positive things. I embrace the show as an adult just as I embraced it back when I was 10 years old.” the actress said.
Youtube/Today
Candace is happily married to the love of her life, former NHL superstar Valeri Bure. She first met him back in 1994, when she was 18 years old. The two dated for a while and in 1996, they tied the knot. This year, they celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
Candace and Valeri are proud parents of three children, daughter Natasha, who is following into her mom’s footsteps, and sons Lev and Maksim.
In 2016, Candace wrote on Facebook: “There have been several tough years, in a row, ups and downs, bad attitudes and bad decisions, but we’ve persevered. We rode them out. We loved each other through them.”
Speaking of the secret to a long and happy marriage, Candace says: “When a man feels respected, that is love to him. For example, my husband does 98% of the cooking and I remind the kids to say thank you or I specify what I appreciate, whether it’s a new ingredient or recipe.” She also says that they put each other on the pedestal and have huge respect for one another.
“It’s worth it to make it a priority, otherwise, you see how it affects a marriage,” the actress adds. “Friendship is the foundation of marriage but you also need private time…You need that intimacy — not just romantic but also through conversation.”
Recently, she shared a photo of her and her Full House co-stars and wrote it was taken on the night she and Valeri first met.
Full House is a huge part of Candace’s life, so ending the filming of the spin-off wasn’t easy for her.
“[With Full House] I was 18 [when the show closed] and ready to move on and go into adulthood. But now being a seasoned mom and woman, you realize how grateful you are for all the things in your life and Fuller House and all the people that work on the show and these ladies are one of them. They mean the world to me.
“It was such a gift in my life to be able to reprise the show and do a whole new show based on the same characters, she told Washington Post.
Shutterstock
Candace Cameron Bure looks amazing and we are very glad she has a happy and fulfilled love and an adorable family.
Nowadays, it looks like people get easily offended by everything and everyone.
I am certain there is no person on Earth, whether young or old, who doesn’t remember the iconic love story between charmer Danny Zuko and the shy Australian transfer student Sandy Olsson. Greese was a huge hit back in the day and is still popular today, almost 43 years after it stole the hearts of millions and became the highest-grossing musical at the time.
The leading roles were played by handsome John Travolta and incredibly beautiful Olivia Newton-John; two legends whose careers had a profound impact in the film industry.
Source: Instagram/grease.1978
This year, the musical was again on after Christmas, and after so much time, some people somehow convinced themselves that it was nothing less than “homophobic, racist, and sexual.” What’s most, they took to the social media to share their views thus gathered the attention of many and caused a stir.
The movie’s star, Newton-John, who is now 72, spoke of these claims at the podcast A Life of Greatness, saying: “I think it’s kind of silly. I mean, this movie was made in the 1970s about the 1950s. It was a stage play, it’s a musical, it’s fun. It’s a fun movie musical not to be taken so seriously.”
Source: Facebook
Many believe that Grease doesn’t belong in the modern time and say things like: “All couples must be boy/girl? Well Grease, shove your homophobia,” and “Grease peak of homophobia,” according to The Sun.
Ahhh man. Just watching #Grease one of my favourite films and it’s so of its time. Misogynistic, sexist and a bit rapey.
Further, viewers say there is a lack of black actors and a scene where middle-aged host Vince Fontaine flirts with teenage student Marty, telling her no same-sex couples are allowed on the dance floor.
Reading through all these comments and accusations, Newton-John says: “We need to relax a little bit and just enjoy things for what they are. I didn’t see it like that at all, I think it’s a fun movie that entertains people.”
Source: Instagram/grease.1978
What are your thoughts on this? Are you a fan of Grease?
Arnold Schwarzenegger rose to fame starring in some of the most popular sci-fi and action movies. You have certainly seen him in Terminator, but he also played the roles of Hercules in Hercules in New York and Conan in Conan the Barbarian. Some of you probably remember him from the comedies Twins and Kindergarten Cop.
Born in 1947, in a city near Graz, Austria, Arnold grew up in a family with an alcoholic father. He didn’t have it easy, but he always knew he would experience success.
Shutterstock
His awesome looks and hard work brought young Arnold the title Mr. Universe, and his name soon became well-known not only in his native country, but worldwide. In the following years, Arnold won the title four more times. He was named Mr. Olympia a number of times and became a celebrity.
In 1968, Arnold emigrated to America, and started living the American dream when he became part of the Hollywood glam.
Instagram/ arnoldschwarzeneggerpics
Speaking of his role as Terminator, Arnold told The Tim Ferris Show: “I never auditioned. Never. I would never go out for the regular parts because I was not a regular looking guy, so my idea always was everyone is going to look the same and everyone is trying to be the blond guy in California, going to Hollywood interviews and looking somewhat athletic and cute and all this.
“Okay, how can I carve myself out a niche that only I have? And so I always felt really strong about I have to get into the movie business.”
Youtube/FlashbackFM
From a bodybuilder, to an actor, to a Governor of California, Arnold has experienced it all. He has been successful in a number of different fields, and that includes his family. Now, his son Patrick is following into his footsteps and is pursuing a career in the film industry.
While Patrick was growing up, his father’s name was one of the most famous in Hollywood, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that the boy fell in love with acting from very early age.
“I fell in love with acting, with film, with sets, with everything growing up,” 27-year-old Patrick told LIVE Kelly and Ryan during an interview.
“If I had a good week in school, my dad would pick me up early, take me to set. For a kid it’s a dream come true. You’re on the Universal studios lot, I watch my dad walk in as “pops” and come out as Mr. Freeze. During breaks he had a golf cart, and he’d take me to the Jaws ride, the E.T, ride. All these different things, there were candy everywhere.”
Instagram/patrickschwarzenegger
According to him, both his parents have always been very supportive when it came to the choice of his future career, but they also wanted him to get formal education, which is what Patrick did. He earned a business degree from the University of California, as well as a cinematic arts degree.
Some of the movies in which Patrick had a lead role are Midnight Sun and Daniel Isn’t Real. Of course, he also starred in other movies, and new projects are yet to take place.
Shutterstock
In addition to acting, Patrick is also running his own business which he started at the age of 15. His “Project360” helped raise $30,000 for a women’s shelter in Long Beach, California.
Although his father is one of the best in Hollywood, Patrick isn’t spoiled at all. In fact, he always has his work done all by himself. Speaking to the Rain, he said: “If I’m at one of my gyms and someone needs to help sweep up the floor or something like that, I don’t get worried about getting my hands dirty. I’ve cleaned tons of floors at my businesses, I’ve made pizzas, I’ve done it all. You’re not an entrepreneur if you’re not willing to get your hands dirty—I learned that early.”
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Patrick says his parents are proud of him.
“He’s so proud of me. Both my parents are proud of me,” young Schwarzenegger said. “It’s pretty surreal ’cause I remember growing up and going to set with him and it was my favorite activity.”
“And I was so sad when he became governor, to go from Universal Studios’ lots to the Capitol,” he added. “But it was really surreal to have him come to set and have kind of the pages turned and, yeah, he’s really proud of me. You know, they’re so supportive and I couldn’t ask for a better parent duo.”
Instagram/ patrickschwarzenegger
We can’t wait to see Patrick’s future projects. We would love to see him as the Terminator one day.
The catastrophic flood that struck rural Tennessee claimed the lives of 21 people and dozens are still missing. The water swept away homes, cars, and trees, and damaged infrastructure.
Unfortunately, among those who lost their lives are 7-month-old twins Ryan and Rileigh. The babies were swept away from their father’s arms as he was struggling to hold them and his two other children who remained unharmed. The family was trying to escape the raising water when the tragedy struck.
Source: GoFundMe
After an extensive search, the bodies of the babies were found.
Charity Hooks, a cousin of the twins’ mother, set up a GoFundMe page in an attempt to help the family with the funeral expenses.
“The mother grabbed a tree and the father had the 2 twins the 5 year old and 19 month old and sadly the 2 babies left his arms!
“This money could help them with a lot! Expenses, flowers for the funeral, for the house they lost but Most important is the help for these beautiful babies that gained there wings today!” the page read.
So far, over $100,000 have been raised.
Absolutely heartbreaking 💔 7-month-old twins, Rileigh and Ryan have died after being swept away by flood waters in Waverly, their grandmother tells me. Please keep the people of Humphreys County in your prayers! 🙏🏼https://t.co/io3K6em9rB
Andy Griffith was a man of many talents. Years after his death, we still remember the roles he played.
Growing up, he was very shy and friends sometimes teased him because of that. Later on, however, he realized that his ability to make others laugh was his strength and he used that at the best of his ability, by making a name for himself.
Griffith’s first encounter with the stage was both petrifying and magical. When he was in third grade, he was supposed to perform along one of his classmates, but in the last minute, he was left all alone. He felt extremely nervous at first but then started singing Put on Your Old Gray Bonnet and realized that was it. He was born to perform, and he knew it.
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After years of struggling to find a job in operettas and different choirs, Griffith was approached by a man named Orville Campbell and was offered to record a monologue. That’s when “What it Was Was Football?” was born; the monologue which changed Griffith’s life forever.
Soon after, Griffith became the citizen of one of the most famous fictional places there are, the iconic town named Mayberry. The Andy Griffith Showfollowed the lives of the rest of the inhabitants and after the first day of filming, Griffith considered quitting because he believed the series won’t last long. At the time, he had no idea how wrong he was, as the sitcom aired for total of 249 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons.
“That day, I didn’t have much to say at all. Artie Stander, Danny Thomas, and Sheldon Leonard yelled at one another all day. I asked Sheldon (the executive producer) if I could talk to him at the end of the day and he walked me to the gate. I said, ‘If this is what television is, I don’t think I can handle it,’” Griffith recalled.
Luckily, he changed his mind and stayed on the show. And, well, the rest is history.
Speaking of how the series managed to last for so long and of the role he played, that of Andy Taylor, the widowed sheriff of Mayberry, Griffith told New York Times back in 1965: “I think it is because we–everyone on the show–have a real sense of community, of kindness toward one another. The basic rule by which we live comes through on the program, kindness comes through. The show also has a number of featured performers, each with a definite character we can write around for any episode.
“But equally important is the character of Mayberry itself. We try to make it a real little community with its small problems and those of its people put forth comedically.”
The Andy Griffith Show actors didn’t only gain worldwide fame, but they made friends for life on that set. Don Knotts, who played the role of Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife on the show, was one of Griffith’s closest pals until his passing in 2006, at the age of 81.
Once the show came to an end, Griffith started his own production company, Andy Griffith Enterprises, and later played in the series Matlock, for 181 episodes.
The legendary actor died of heart attack in 2012. He was 86.
At the time of his passing, Griffith was reported to be worth $60 million. He gave the film industry a lot and his roles continue to live even today. Who could ever forget the iconic Andy Taylor?
In Griffith’s honor, a statue of him as Andy Taylor has been placed in Raleigh, North Carolina. The inscription reads: “A simpler time, a sweeter place, a lesson, a laugh, a father, a son.”
