Yolanda: I Took One for the Team

Hello Bravo Lovers,

I hope you had a great holiday season with your loved ones and are still enjoying these last couple of days of this year.

Unfortunately, I’ve been down for the count, which has been quite frustrating. While I’ve been having a hard time over the past couple of weeks (and in fact, this blog took me three days to write), I watch Brandi’s house warming party with great personal sentiment because that, sadly, was the absolute only day in 2014 that I felt a spring in my step and enough brain power to speak with a clear train of thought. I made a beautiful speech that night, which unfortunately, you did not get to share.

Anyway, the short of it was that it meant a lot to me to see Guy and Judy Glanville sharing in this great moment. We all got to see their daughter back on her feet after a painful divorce but now back in a beutiful home and starting a new life with her sons.

That, sadly, was the absolute only day in 2014 that I felt a spring in my step and enough brain power to speak with a clear train of thought.”

Yolanda H. Foster

Having lost my own father at such a young age, I have a soft spot for dads in general, but especially for Guy Glanville. He is a really good man inside who loves his family but may not always be capable of showing that. No matter how old we are, there is nothing better then getting the approval from our parents and the sense that they are proud of our accomplishments in life.

I was happy to see all the women show up for this happy occasion, including Adrienne, and mostly Lisa V.’s attempt in engaging in the process of moving forward. Again, it is time to stop talking about the past. Brandi has begged for forgiveness too many times and almost took down that gorgeous olive tree, but at this point, it takes two to tango.

Portia is very smart and just cracks me up. I guess she is the most truthful young lady in our group and knows more than we might give her crediti for. So cute seeing her make a sandwich. It makes me miss my girls at that age. This is about the right time to teach her to start sorting out dirty laundry by color and running the washing machine. It is often a great game for girls that age. My mom made me iron laundry every Friday after school at age eight, and even though I hate ironing and don’t do it very often, it’s important to be able to take care of yourself.

Lisa Rinna is amazing. I love her passion for her work and her no-bullsh** attitude for doing whatever it takes to stay relevant in her business. I think she is more beautiful and powerful today than I have ever seen her before. Cheers to her and Eileen for making the 50 club look really good.

I was excited to finaly see PUMP, a beautiful place. Definitely a restaurant you must visit when coming to town. I appriciate the fact that Lisa V. takes time out of her busy schedule to do a charity tea for a cause close to her heart, and we were all happy to be there and support her.

The ALS ice bucket challenge was really the most brilliant publicity stunt of 2014, and it has brought worldwide awareness for a barely-known disease. I gladly took one for the team. My best friend Ellie Ducret has been battling this most brutal and fatal disease forthe past three years. I have slowly watched her lose the use of every single muscle in her body, being left paralyzed, dependent on others, while her precious spirit and perfectly brilliant brain is trapped inside. She is my hero. She taught me that you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have left. I turn to her on the days I feel sorry for myself. I'm battling this crazy Lyme disease, but she puts it all in perspective real fast. She gives me strength and is the person that defines a true friend to me. I love the quote, "Best friends are people who make your problems their problems just so you dont have to go through them alone!"

Yolanda Does a Special Ice Bucket Challenge

With that said, I wish you all a very happy New Year, and I pray that each day love, health, and happiness will come your way.

Until next year,

xoxo

Yo