Tag: friends

Kelly Clarkson explains why Taylor Swift sends her gifts

Taylor Swift does more than drop Easter eggs after the re-release of her albums. The musician also sends flowers to Kelly Clarkson — after every single “Taylor’s Version” album drops.

The “American Idol” Season 1 winner, 41, revealed the sweet gesture in a new interview.

“You know what’s so funny? She just sent me flowers,” she told E! News. “She’s so nice. She did. She was like, ‘Every time I release something’—’cause she just did 1989. I got that really cute cardigan, too.”

In 2019, Clarkson suggested via X (then formerly known as Twitter) that the “Midnights” singer should re-record her work. At the time, Scooter Braun’s company Ithaca Holdings LLC acquired her former label Big Machine Label Group and obtained the rights to the masters for her first six studio albums.

Despite the advice, the “Kelly Clarkson Show” host insists Swift probably would have come up with that idea on her own too.

Kelly Clarkson performs live on NBC’s ‘Today’ show at Rockefeller Plaza in NYC on September 22, 2023.
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Taylor Swift performs at the Monumental stadium during her Eras Tour concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 9, 2023.
AP
Taylor Swift performs at the Monumental stadium during her Eras Tour concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.
AP

“I love how kind she is though,” Clarkson continued. “She’s a very smart businesswoman. So, she would have thought of that. But it just sucks when you see artists that you admire and you respect really wanting something and it’s special to them. You know if they’re going to find a loophole, you find a loophole. And she did it and literally is, like, the best-selling artist I feel like of all-time now.”

The mom of two went on to note that it’s “so cool to see a fanbase” like the Swifties really getting behind Swift, 33.

“She’s known for being such an incredible songwriter and the soundtrack to a lot of people’s lives and that’s her life. So, you should have the option of owning that,” she concluded.

Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson attends the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009.
WireImage

Swift, meanwhile, is currently back on tour. After a brief break, she picked back up the Eras Tour concert in Argentina on Thursday night. However, it appears her new rumored beau, Travis Kelce, was not in attendance.

An insider close to the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, 34, told Page Six Wednesday that the athlete was traveling to see the pop star perform over the weekend. However, they didn’t specify which show he planned to attend.

Last month, Clarkson actually joked about Swift and Kelce’s romance, saying that the NFL panning to Swift at his games made it feel like she was watching a “Housewives” episode instead of football.

“It is hilarious how it is literally taking over the NFL for people [like me] who like watching sports,” she said at the time. “It’s like you’re watching gossip things. What about the [game] play?” 

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81-year-old best friends traveled the world in 80 days

Two octogenarian best friends from Texas went on an adventure of a lifetime, traveling around the world in 80 days.

Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby, both 81, recently returned home after the 2-and-a-half-month trip that started in Antarctica and took them to a World Wonder, the North Pole, and all the way Down Under.

The adventure began as an idea in 2020 when the two friends were working their respective jobs in Hamby’s kitchen one evening and Hazelip came up with the outrageous idea of traveling for as many days as their ages.

“Ellie, we both love to travel, our health is good, we travel well together,” Hazelip said according to the “Around the World at 80” blog. “So wouldn’t it be fun to go around the world in 80 days when we are 80 years old?”

It would take nearly two more years for Hazelip, a doctor, and Hamby, a photographer, to start their journey as COVID-related travel restrictions affected their trips to most of their planned destinations.

“By postponing until 2023, we will be able to include the Antarctica trip that was in our original itinerary,” the two grandmothers said, who met each other 23 years ago during a medical mission to Zambia the two women told CNN.


The first destination brought the best friends to Antarctica to see the penguins.

The trip started with a plane ride to Argentina on January 11, when they would get on a 60-person boat to cross the Drake Passage in order to reach the least visited continent and walk with penguins.

From there, the adventure took them to Easter Island to see “the mystical island, full of beauty at every turn,” along with the namesake statue heads or Moai.

The friends traveled with their own small entourage composed of a physician and photographer who helped document all their destinations through their blogs and various social media accounts.

The two-year postponement allowed for better budget planning which allowed them to get great deals on their hotels.

They even slept in airports just to make their flights on time.


The friends traveled with their own small entourage composed of a physician and photographer who helped document all their destinations through their blogs and various social media accounts.
Around the World at 80: Facebook

“You do not have to stay in the big chain hotels. In other countries, the best hotels are local places,” the pair told TODAY, claiming the average costs of their hotels were $29 a person. “They may not be a hotel. They may be someone’s home. They may be just small little places, but those are the best buys and the most fun.”

The adventure of a lifetime did come with some hiccups, which forced some last-minute changes to the itinerary.

“After leaving the mystical Easter Island, we planned to go to Peru and take the train to Machu Picchu,” the friends wrote in a blog post from February 5. “Because of political violence in Peru and especially in the Machu Picchu area, we had to cancel this portion of our trip.”


Hazelip and Hamby stopped and saw Easter Island and the Maoi.
Around the World at 80: Facebook

The duo took in the sights of the Northern Lights in Finland.
TikTok

They then traveled to Northern Europe and the Arctic Circle where they met reindeer, rode a husky-pulled sleigh and saw the remarkable Northern Lights

The second leg of the trip took the friends to the historic landmarks of Europe, including the Roman Coliseum, Sistine Chapel, Notre Dame and Buckingham Palace before heading south to Africa.

In Africa, Hamby visited the island of Zanzibar, checking out the historic port the spices which have led to the semi-autonomous providence to be dubbed “Spice Island.”

Zanzibar led them to Egypt, where they explored The Great Pyramids.

Hazelip and Hamby stopped at the Taj Mahal while in India.
Around the World at 80: Facebook
Bali offered its diverse land including the picturesque beaches.
Around the World at 80: Facebook

They went on to see India’s Taj Mahal before traveling to visit the breathtaking views of Mount Everest and Mt. Fuji.

The Land Down Under was the final portion of their journey trip, taking in the sites of Sydney and The Great Barrier Reef before heading back home to Texas on April 1.

For those thinking it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, the best friends are not done and are already planning another one.

“We are planning another trip, So it’s going to be something when we’re 82 in 2024,” Hazelip revealed to TODAY.


While in Japan the best friends were gifted with breathtaking views of Mt. Fuji.
Around the World at 80: Facebook

Hamby and Hazelip’s trip is inspiring others to go on their own adventure

“My sister (single) and I (widowed) are trying to go to every continent. We’ve been doing this for 8 yrs now! We’re in our 30’s – let’s go, ladies!” said one photographer on TikTok.

“Bucket list,” another person said.

Many other commenters were saying the many destinations the friends visited were bucket list items for their own adventures.

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I lost my ability to walk and now my boyfriend treats me like garbage

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my boyfriend for 11 years. In all this time he has never once asked me if I’m OK whenever I have gotten hurt. I got used to it, you might say. Well, I recently lost the ability to walk, and ended up in a nursing home for rehabilitation. My boyfriend would come to visit, but would never ask about progress. Furthermore, when I would show him my progress he wouldn’t act happy. 

Now I’m home, and he treats me like garbage. I don’t know why. When I brought it up, he said he doesn’t know why. Should I end this relationship so I can find someone who’s supportive and who will help me get back to 100%? Or should I stay and work on this relationship? I’m less and less happy every day. — HURTING IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR HURTING: Your boyfriend of 11 years is not a nurturer. That he doesn’t ask if you are hurt or injured shows he lacks empathy. If I had to hazard a guess, I would opine that he treats you like garbage now because he’s mad at you for needing his help and support. No amount of working on this will fix what’s missing in his character. Unless you want to be treated like this for the rest of your life, get rid of him.

DEAR ABBY: I have a co-worker I share an office with. We are cordial, but not friends. The problem is she chews gum most of the day with her mouth open, and occasionally pops it. The noises she makes are extremely disturbing and they disgust me. I have taken to wearing headphones and listening to music as often as possible to tune out her noises, but it feels a bit rude and isn’t practical for all day. I’m on the verge of snapping at her. Is there a kind way I can alert her of the problem without disrupting our working relationship? — ABOUT TO POP OFF

DEAR POP: Have a congenial chat with this co-worker and ask her to let you know when she’s going to pop in a piece of gum so you can pop on your headphones. It beats popping your cork in frustration.

DEAR ABBY: I’m friends with a man in his late 70s, 20 years my senior. I’m concerned about his mobility. He’s an independent spirit who lives alone. Lately, I have noticed his strength and balance are diminished, and I know falls are serious for seniors. I have shared my worries with him, but he’s proud and won’t change his habits. Can you recommend a way I can talk to him constructively about my concerns? — YOUNGER GUY IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR YOUNGER GUY: You have already tried discussing this with your friend. You might be able to get through to him if you TELL him you have noticed his balance issues, and that there is help for them IF he tells his doctor what’s been happening. A physical therapist may be able to help him remedy his problem, but only if he asks.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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The woman I like is perfect, but her children have a serious problem

DEAR ABBY: I am friendly with a woman who is wonderful and caring. She calls to ask how I’m doing, drops off coffee to say hi, etc. She has a great heart and soul. Our boys are close in age. That’s the problem — I do not like her children. 

Her kids are difficult and they run roughshod over her. She knows discipline is a problem, but she’s at a loss. My children don’t enjoy playing with them, either. Her kids are careless and don’t listen to authority. I want to continue our friendship, but I like her better without the children in tow. Should I speak up or fade away? — CONDITIONAL FRIEND

DEAR FRIEND: Your friend’s children can’t be blamed for things they were never taught. Tell your friend that when her kids visit your home, you will be establishing some “house rules.” If you do, you may be doing that entire family a favor. If her kids cannot comply, inform her that your children no longer want to play with hers and why. She needs that information before her kids become social outcasts. If your friendship with her fades after that, and I sincerely hope it won’t, then que sera, sera.

DEAR ABBY: I have no family and few friends — nobody close. My live-in girlfriend of two years and I argue constantly. We no longer share a bedroom, and I feel more like a roommate. I honestly feel I’m being used for money. Her 24-year-old son died from an overdose two months ago, so I can’t help but feel sorry for her. She isn’t working, and I don’t know when she can return. 

I don’t have the money to move. I wish I did. I’m miserable, she’s miserable and I feel stuck. I’m 46; she’s 44. I pay rent and 50% of the utilities, which is fine. But how can I ever get out? Moving isn’t cheap anymore. 

I’m desperate for hope that I’m not stuck here forever. I’m afraid if I move — even if I live in a tent for now — she will give up on everything. She has two grown kids, but she was closest to the one who passed. I feel guilty for wanting and needing to leave. At the same time, I’m miserable. She’s in therapy and on medicine. Please advise. — WITHOUT HOPE IN NORTH CAROLINA

DEAR WITHOUT HOPE: Start saving whatever money you can and explore options for other living arrangements, including renting a single room. Staying where you are under these circumstances will make you sick if you don’t take control of your life. Your former girlfriend is under the care of a doctor. You are NOT her lifeline. She will survive. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY ASIAN READERS WHO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR: The Year of the Rabbit begins today. In Chinese culture, the rabbit is known to be the luckiest of all 12 animals in the zodiac. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are calm and peaceful. They avoid fighting and arguing, are artistic and have good taste. However, they may be insecure and sensitive and dislike criticism, which causes them to be averse to change. I wish a happy, healthy new year to all who are celebrating this holiday. — LOVE, ABBY

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

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