THIS WEEK'S DEAR JOHN LETTER!
Dear John,
My ex wife is a lunatic. She's keeping my adult children from talking to me. We stayed married way longer than we should have, but we wanted to do that for the kids. We were divorced a few years ago after our youngest graduated. I made sure my kids had everything they needed growing up. I arranged everything for them to be comfortable when they were in college. When we finally divorced I began paying alimony to my ex wife. I barely get to speak to my kids now. I asked my son why we can't get together more and he said it causes his mom too much pain. When he and I went on a weekend trip for Father's Day last year, she threw a tantrum. He said he had to take all of her medication out of the house because she was threatening to overdose because she was so hurt by him spending time with me. This is her manipulating my kids. She did this garbage to me for over twenty years. I finally had to move on. I don't want my kids to abandon my ex wife, but I also can't stand that they're being asked to abandon me. I've noticed that she has no problem taking the money from me each month. How do I get my kids to spend more time with me? I'm finally in a position where I can afford to take them on fun trips and spend as much time together as possible, but she is stopping this because she's a lunatic. Any advice on how to deal with this better?
Signed – Thank God She My Ex
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TODAY'S REASON TO PARTY! (special thanks to ListOfNationalDays.com)
Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
https://www.liquor.com/recipes/el-presidente/
SURVEYS, STUDIES & SUCH
Nearly half of couples plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget this year, according to a new survey. The poll of 2,000 people in the US found that rising costs are pushing many shoppers to lean harder on discounts, rewards, and loyalty programs. Still, most respondents agree that a meaningful gift doesn’t need a hefty price tag, with inexpensive and practical presents often valued more than flashy romantic gestures. Many people also said they are buying for more than one “Valentine”. But before you get your “tsk tsk” on, that usually means people plan to mark the occasion with family, friends…and even themselves. While Valentine’s Day remains important for most couples, plenty admit they’re still unsure what gift will truly hit the mark. Here are some more results from the survey…
• 48% are budgeting more due to the economy
• 75% said they usually look for Valentine’s Day deals anyway
• 87% say cheap gifts can be just as meaningful
• 69% prefer practical gifts over romantic ones
• 39% feel clueless about what to buy their partner
• Those who have been in a relationship for a shorter period of time plan to spend more, averaging $209 vs. $192 for those who are in long-term relationships
• 63% say Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples
• The average shopper buys gifts for 2 people
• 1 in 6 plan to buy themselves a gift
BIG SCREEN-LITTLE SCREEN
Chrissy Teigen is sober again, and she’s crediting “Summer House” star Carl Radke for his support in her sobriety journey. Teigen shared the update in a personal Instagram post on Tuesday, writing: "I am grateful to @carlradke. Not for just all the years on Bravo he has blessed us with, but because of his honesty and openness around his own journey with sobriety." Teigen also shared screenshots of her and Radke discussing their journeys on her Self-Conscious podcast. She previously went public about her choice to abstain from alcohol in 2021. LINK: https://tinyurl.com/4zem5772
Jacob Elordi is a man of his word. The actor, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in “Frankenstein”, has always had a special bond with his mother, Melissa. She always believed her son would make it big, whereas Elordi’s dad urged him to have a backup plan. The “Euphoria” actor is rewarding his mom’s faith in him by making her his ‘plus one’ on March 15, the night he might be awarded his first golden statuette. On “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, Elordi explained: “I promised her when I was 15 that I would take her. So, I have to honor that.”
Guy Fieri is bringing Flavortown to life in a brand-new competition series. Food Network announced “Flavortown Food Fight” will premiere on March 4. A press release says: “Long referred to but never before seen, the mythical and delicious Flavortown will be the setting for this multi-round, culinary competition.” Each episode will see Fieri welcome 3 chefs to Flavortown to test their culinary chops. Contestants will compete in a variety of eateries with names inspired by the celebrity chef’s life, including street food carts, neighborhood spots, fast casual restaurants and fine dining establishments.
DID YA KNOW!?
DID YOU KNOW… The average person walks the equivalent of five times around the Earth in their lifetime. All those steps add up over decades. Walking is one of the most consistent physical activities humans perform.
JOKE OF THE DAY
(FROM
HEIDI)
SCOOP
OF THE DAY
In an era shaped by relentless work demands, digital overload and increasingly fraught relationships, many people find themselves pulling back from social connection – often without realizing the toll it can take. But that retreat may be undermining our health and well-being, according to a new book that argues that flourishing and enjoying a fulfilling life, comes down to one thing: feeling like we matter to other people. In “Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose”, journalist Jennifer Breheny Wallace says modern life has made relationships more transactional, leaving many people without clear signals that they are valued. Research shows that when people don’t feel they matter, they may withdraw, turn to harmful coping mechanisms or lash out in frustration – fueling everything from incivility to social polarization. Her advice is deceptively simple: get out of the house, show up for others and engage in small acts of connection. According to researchers, here are the 5 key elements that help people feel they matter…
• Recognition: being valued for who you are
• Reliance: knowing others depend on you
• Importance: feeling significant in everyday moments
• Attunement: being truly heard and understood
• Ego extension: mutual investment in one another’s lives
THE MOVIE QUOTE OF THE DAY
If you have a favorite quote.... you can send it to us at the bottom of the page at JohnAndHeidiShow.com
"I feel pretty… oh so pretty!" — West Side Story, Maria, 1961
NEWS TO ME
(FROM HEIDI)
FUN
FACT FOR YOU:
Share
this with your friends... they'll think you're really smart!
✓ A Cinnabon study found that the scent of cinnamon causes mall shoppers to be more polite.
✓ Research has shown that people are happiest at 7:26pm on Saturday night.
✓ The average lifespan of a human hair is 3 to 7 years.
✓ Your nose shapes the sound of your voice.
✓ The Sun makes a sound — but we can’t hear it.
WEIRD NEWS
Under normal circumstances, your date — or your mate — might be a little…let’s say…underwhelmed…if you announced that the 2 of you will be enjoying cuisine from McDonald’s for Valentine’s Day. But this new announcement might just score you a little wiggle room. Just in time for Valentine’s…and Galentine’s Day, the fast-food giant has announced it is releasing its first-ever “McNugget Caviar” kits, inspired by the viral trend of pairing chicken nuggets with caviar. And get this: It’s free, while supplies last! The idea took off after a New York restaurant sold $100 nuggets and caviar at the 2025 US Open — and fans have been recreating the combo ever since. So, McDonald’s had announced its version, which includes a one-ounce tin of Baerii sturgeon caviar, a Mother of Pearl spoon, crème fraîche for dessert, and a $25 Arch Card for nuggets. The kits launch online Feb. 10, at a special website: LINK: http://mcnuggetcaviar.com/
QUESTION OF THE DAY
One in 4 of us admit it: We’re horrible at THIS. What is it?
Answer: Parallel parking
SOMETHING SPECIAL WITH HEIDI SMALL
(FROM HEIDI)
THE LIST
BuzzFeed recently asked its Gen Z and millennial readers what they wish their parents and older generations should know or stop doing. Here are some of the best responses…
⇒ “Older generations should stop saying, ‘This generation doesn’t want to work anymore’ when …a business is short-staffed. It’s not that (we) don’t want to work. We are unwilling to let our jobs/careers take precedence over living our lives.”
⇒ “STOP TELLING US TO HAVE KIDS!!! If we say we don’t want any, assume we mean it!”
⇒ “Older generations should know just how to be normal in a retail environment. I’ve worked retail since high school, and the amount of older people who act nasty towards me is wild.”
⇒ “Please at least try to learn the technology if you are working age. My coworker is around the same age as my mother. We keep our important documents…in Excel and mostly in Teams. My coworker REFUSES to use the Excel document to track and update. She handwrites her own.”
⇒ “I think older generations should stop running for political office. You ruined the housing market. You ruined politics. You ruined education. And now you’re mad that we’re trying to fix it…and you’re upset with change.”
GOOD NEWS
He Knew He Only Had Days Left. A Restaurant's Kindness Made His Final Meal Special. https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news
