On Being a Housewife

My final blog entry comes straight from the heart. In truth, I have moved past all of the drama, and I don't want to acknowledge it anymore. This is my final blog and I want to dedicate it to all of you that have supported me immensely throughout this experience. I really appreciate the time you took to write me and share your perspectives; you have given me some really great advice. I also appreciate the constructive criticism because it helped me think about the choices I have made and the things I have said. I feel like we have gotten to know each other throughout this experience and while some may call you viewers or fans, I would like to call you friends.

Joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has been an incredible journey. There are many people behind-the-scenes that work extraordinarily hard to make this show a success and they rarely get acknowledged so I am giving credit where credit is due!

I would like to start by thanking Evolution and their incredible staff from the Executive Producers to the Production Assistants and everyone in between. I would also like to thank everyone at Bravo who work equally as hard to make this show a success. Thank you to all of the media outlets that cover the show. I enjoy reading your creative and witty recaps and blogs and appreciate your sense of humor. Bonnie Fuller and her staff at Hollywood Life were wonderful to work with. StoopidHousewives.com and RealityTea.com always make me laugh and supporters like Lucien Simpson (@mintedroyalty), Coleen (@chicagocollen), Jim Kaurudor (@bitterjim2u), @piazzaalexander and all of my Twitter friends are truly special. Without all of you this show couldn't happen. I wish I could name everyone but you all know who you are and I thank each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication to making The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills a success.

I have learned so much from this experience and it has changed my life in ways I couldn't have dreamed. My husband Dean and I have grown closer as we discussed the things I've said on the show. I regret many things that I have said without thinking, but my husband and I are deeply in love and after 16 years we know how we truly feel about each other. Dean is an incredible man and he knew that I didn't intend on hurting him. I am blessed to have him and my beautiful family and I am grateful for their love and support; it means everything to me.

Brandi and I never ever had an issue, about the text or about anything else. I made a mistake, apologized and we quickly moved past it. I really connect with Brandi because she says exactly what is on her mind. I do the same thing and as you know our unfiltered opinions have gotten us in to trouble. Despite that, we both have big hearts and are forgiving people. I can take care of myself and I do not talk shit, I speak the truth. I read your comments about Yolanda and I agree that she was being a good friend to Brandi. My blog reflected my thoughts in that moment but as you can see Yolanda and I ended on a very positive note.

Lisa's vow renewal was very touching and it really made me think about myself my life and my family. I admire Lisa and Ken for being married 30 years! I think it is an amazing triumph and Dean and I are half way there. I also want to add that I do not believe Lisa is Brandi's mouthpiece. Lisa and Brandi have become very close and it is only natural for friends to defend each other when they are being attacked.

I have to say I was shocked when Adrienne walked into Lisa's vow renewal party because she represented a very sad irony. It must have taken a lot of balls to show up that night and believe me I couldn't have done it. I have compassion for Lisa because it couldn't have been easy to feel special about renewing her vows when a guest is hysterical over her fresh separation. Lisa wanted her vow renewal to represent love and happiness and sadly that day Adrienne represented the complete opposite. I also have compassion for Adrienne, perhaps she just needed to be surrounded by her best girlfriends, Kyle, Kim and Taylor and it felt genuine when they said they will always be there for her. I wish Adrienne nothing but the best in life.

I don't think anyone or anything can prepare someone for becoming a part of the Housewives. Before the show, I was never on Twitter and didn't even know what a hashtag was! I appreciate all of my friends on Twitter that helped me get the hang of it.

A Housewife must be many things: she must be media-savvy and tech-savvy. She must think about what she says and its potential impact, she must have a thick skin to handle the constructive criticism and a sense of humor about her to enjoy the creativity of the many writers that blog the show. A Housewife must also recognize that she is not perfect and be willing to learn from her mistakes. If 10,000 people are telling you that you are being a bitch, they can't all be wrong. At the end of the day we are all very lucky to have this experience and our jobs are much easier than all of yours and all of the people behind-the-scenes that work so hard. That is why this blog is dedicated to you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this journey. We never know what life will bring or what the future will hold so I leave you with my sincerest thanks, love and one of my favorite quotes:

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Winston Churchill

Love Always,

Marisa