Teresa's Got a Gun

Watch out.  Teresa Guidice is on a rampage, and she's got Juicy Joe by her side.  This woman is one scary Italian and I would not want to be in her line of fire.  After watching the two Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion shows I can't decide if I feel sorry for this woman or if she is just plain batshit crazy and delusional.  On the surface it would appear that she is at odds with everyone and everything- family, friends, even poor Andy Cohen, but what the hell is really going here?  And more importantly, why would anyone in their right mind expose themselves to that kind of ridicule, scrutiny and judgement?  I know these people are NOT in their right mind, but really??!!


I'm sure that all of the instant "fame" is overwhelming for Teresa and trying to recover from their colossal financial disaster with the entire world watching (who really buys $120,000 in furniture anyway? and in one stop? and in cash???) is stressful to say the least, but she seems a little bit like a defensive, terrified caged animal just trying to protect herself.  My question is, why the hell is she not walking (running?!) away from all of this?  And why is Juicy not pulling the plug on this insane Bravo trainwreck?  Is 100K really that important?  I love these Housewife shows, but as I have said before, at what cost?  Suicide in Beverly Hills and now Teresa's complete spiral into reality TV hell?  Why, people....why??!!

Before her "bubbies" and notorious bankruptcy, Teresa was a funny, goofy, happy go lucky lady who seemed madly in love with "Juicy Joe" and her girls.  She seemed like the kind of gal you wanted to hang out with because of the pure humor she provided in virtually any situation. Frankly, it's just plain sad, and dare I say, gross?  Who can forget Gia's tragic (in more ways than one) song at her sister's birthday party?  And that christening?  What about Joe Gorga pleading to his father in Italian about wanting approval and love?  Disaster, people.  Total disaster.  It's like a Shakespearean  tragedy unfolding right in front of us- I feel like I need to do my part and stop watching but I can't look away.  They are currently filming the next season and frankly, I'm a little nervous about what might go down.  I thought they were all safe in their Franklin Lakes mansions after Danielle made her not-so-subtle exit, but I fear Juicy might take too many steroids one morning and go straight-up cuckoo (imagine Kathy saying this as she twirls her finger at her temple, "cuckoooo, cuckooo") on those Manzo's.  


Bravo is teetering on the edge here with this stuff...I think they just need Rachel Zoe to fly to Jersey and get all of "youz" in one room and sing a little lullaby like she did to Baby Skylar.  I think Rachel might have just DIED last night when she saw that moment- sweet, but oh my.  Bravo, please!!  Help these people, they are becoming total caricatures of themselves.  
And I must say, tragically, I love it.   

Lunch with a Friend

My good friend has four children, a busy life (obviously!!), a traveling (and darling) husband, loads of ideas, a creative soul, a love for cooking, and a way of making her friends feel special.  
We are all busy. And tired. We are all being eaten alive by mountains of laundry and small children and sometimes the only thing we can do for a moment of solace is to bury ourselves under the sheets or as I find, the mountains of laundry that are piled so high in my basement.  They never think to look THERE...


But today I got such a lovely spoonful of solace.  My friend invited me into her kitchen for two solid, savory hours of friendship.  It was beautiful.  Comfortable.  And super tasty.  Dang, the woman has four kids and is writing a memoir and she is making me homemade soup- all served with placemats and cloth napkins!!!   Delicious, warm, soulful, and thoroughly lovely.  Just like my friend.  Thank you for lunch, your generosity of spirit, your somewhat shy Cheshire cat grin when you know you want to comment on something dishy (no pun intended) but never will, and for your incredibly solid take on the world around you.  You inspire me on so many levels.  Thank you for having me in your kitchen today- you are truly delish.

Happy Weekend!

Afterglow

What can I say?  Grandview Lodge might never be the same again.

  

Words are not enough- very simply "thank you" from the bottom of my heart to the Grandview Gang for making the trek in your "Up North Chic" attire to eat, drink, laugh, and dance like teenage fools with me.  You are an amazing collection of individuals that I adore more than you know and I am still basking in the afterglow of my birthday weekend.   I am blessed and thankful to have every single one of you in my life- you truly made me feel special and sent me off to "40" in style.  Thank you!!!

And to you my dear sweet Mr. C, you continue to blow me away each day and I not only love you for your thoughtfulness, kindness and sincerity, but for your unique displays on the dance floor, your ability to piss off bridesmaids, and your talent with Power Point.  I love you!

Thank you!!

xxoo

It's My Birthday. Almost.

We're less than a week away, people.  40.  The big FOUR OHHH.  Halfway to 80, 20 away from 20.  You follow me?  "The back nine", as my brother-in-law likes to say.  Why does it all sound so ominous, and so, old?  Well, I'm here to tell you it's not.  40 really is the new 40, if you know what I mean.  Own it.  I intend to.

I love my birthday.  In fact, for me it's never just a day, it's more like a week.  And so mine began yesterday.  I got my first gift- a Clarisonic.  It rocks, but is it a hint?  I am forgoing Botox for this new little device that has already changed my skin.  If you don't have one, I suggest you go find one.  Even if you aren't 40.

I got my first card today from my sweet Mother-in-Law who is always on it with the cards.  Touching, meaningful words and blessings.  She rocks.

We are going out for a swanky family lunch at Meritage in St. Paul and I am considering it part of the celebration.  Why not??

I bought some new shoes at Ladyslipper today that I am going to wear to my party Saturday, which by the way, in case you hadn't noticed I am very excited for.  An incredible weekend blowout with all my favorite people from near and far and we are going to spa, relax, eat, drink, laugh, dance, and party until we can't anymore. 

Happy (almost) 40th Birthday to me!  I can't wait!