Two Empty Seats

Hello Again,
Let me start by answering a few questions. The book that I referred to last year that really helped change my life is called the Power of Now. Refer to my last blog of Season 1 to learn more. As far as my home, I do love surrounding myself with things that make me feel great and inspire me, it WORKS! Try it. I'm actually working on a home line based on just that. It's been a career long dream of mine to have a line of beautiful, affordable home accessories that enrich the quality of life. At the end of last season I was approached by several people to write a coffee table book on decor, I may just turn that into a "how to" book on making your home your sanctuary. What you surround yourself with really makes a huge difference in your state of mind. Stay tuned and look for updates on www.dinamanzo.com

Grandma Wrinkles is a 2 year old Hairless Sphynx and Ladybug is a Chinchilla Persian and yes, I do talk to them like a crazy lady. It's all good...

As far as Lexi missing in the credits and whether or not she will be in this season, I will address that when I'm ready. For now I am letting Lexi be a 14 year old finishing up her last year of junior high and preparing for her high school days. Lexi is a bright, beautiful young lady and I couldn't be more proud of the very special person that she has become. I wish I could share with all of you more of our relationship, it is one of a kind. I spend most of my days with her either laughing hysterically or arguing about boys and appropriate clothing. Yes, I still wish she was in Cinderella underwear but sadly she is not. My little girl is all grown up and she had blossomed into a real stunner. Again, stay tuned...

Danielle's blog last week was shocking. I can't believe that this is a woman who claims she has changed. There is a way to address a situation without "going there." It was in my opinion in poor taste and filled with complete lies. The ONLY signature I have ever forged (as I said on my twitter) is the occasional credit card slip with my husbands name on it which he is completely aware of and I feel is a right of passage once you say your vows on your wedding day, so there!

Now onto Episode 2.

"1987 called, they want their bidet (be-day) back"
Why the obsession with cleaning your chucky Danielle? I haven't seen one of those things since the late 80's ... Anyway, in the first scene with Danielle they show me saying how I felt bad for her and the situation that she was in with her home. I know that makes me look like a really great person, BUT to be honest with you, when I said that I felt bad for her and her children I was referring to the fact that I think the woman is unstable. When I said that I hope she gets the help she needs I was referring to Psychiatric help. I said years ago that Danielle should have gotten a job and did what she had to do to comfortably support her and her children. I do feel so horrible for any woman in that situation, I'VE BEEN THERE, but having a BIG home is not what it's all about. Her children are in school all day and there is NO excuse not to go to work. When I asked her last year why she didn't get a job, she told me and I quote, "I'm too pretty to work." Yes, you read that correctly. When I got divorced, did I want to work two jobs and live in my sister's spare room sleeping in the same bed as my daughter? Hell no, but I did what I had to do and showed my daughter that when you get knocked down you brush yourself off and do what you have to do to survive. I am grateful that I had my family to turn to, but if I didn't I would have lived in a shoe box rather than to be at the mercy of a man for money. Our children learn by example, we need to remember that.

"Hamming around"
The ham game is SOOO gross, there is nothing cute about lunch meat stuck to the kitchen cabinets. What is cute is Lauren and Vito, I think they are perfect for each other. Vito in my opinion is the best thing to happen to Lauren, I hope to design their wedding one day, not soon but one day. From what I know Vito is a good kid and although I understand Albie's point, I think if Vito is a good enough person to be such a good friend to him then he should be grateful that Lauren is not with some random tool. I am sure he knows "too much" about Vito's wild college days, but what boy didn't have his man whore days in school? Let it go and appreciate the fact that your sister is with someone who loves her and not someone just out to get her ehum... "goodies."

"And take your laundry with you"
I am not going to say much on the Jacqueline and Ashley thing. Raising a young girl is not always easy, especially in this day and age. I suggested the good old fashion Italian beating because it worked for us growing up. Although my dad never really laid a hand on us girls we always had the fear of the wooden spoon or his belt strap in the back of our minds. Hell, I'm 38 years old and I'm still afraid of getting my dad mad! What I find really entertaining with all these scenes is that little bobble head Nicholas just sits there and watches them go at it with a look on his face that's like, "What's wrong with you crazy bitches?" Take notice of his face. It's super cute.

"I'm talking the talk and walking the walk ... work it gurl"
No words for Gia and her catwalk. That kid is going to be somebody! By the way, SO NOT COOL of Danielle to say what she did about Gia not having what it takes. She's a kid Danielle, what's wrong with you? REALLY? Gia has the most amazing personality and looks to go with it. She could be whatever she wants to be in life. Again, I like to pay attention to the little things in the scenes, don't you just love how Gia is in her room all dolled up just practicing her perfect gymnastic splits when Teresa comes to give her the good news of her landing fashion week? Too funny!

"Puffy Chuck"
So if this is the only scene at Teresa's shower luncheon I'm going to die. The footage from that afternoon was so priceless! Teresa was going on and on about how Joe won't leave her alone (as usual) and her girly flower is all puffy. Baby Nicholas has had just about enough of all the girl talk and not only did he cry, but he actually puked as we were really getting into it. IT WAS SO FUNNY! "Chucky" is short for "Chuckelina" which is our family name for the "Va-JayJay". Hence the phrase "puffy chuck." Come on, all you girls out there know that every once in a while you were going at it a little too much and you get a little puffy. It happens to the best of us. I'm hoping that "chucky" will be the new "bubbies" for season two. By the time we are done with this show the whole world will be talking like us!

"Celebratory Luncheon"
I don't think I need to comment much on Danielle's behavior regarding Christine's modeling. I think we are all thinking the same thing. All I can say is GOD please let that kid be a huge success. I truly hope that Christine is the next Christie Brinkley. She is a gorgeous young lady. I am not even going to comment much on the luncheon that was for Christine while she was in school ... it's all just too obvious.

What I will say is that I have NO CLUE why there were those two empty seats sitting there for me and Jacqueline. I wish I could post the email I sent her the night she called me. I was VERY clear about not coming to the luncheon and WHY. I DID have a Ladybug meeting to attend that afternoon but there were other reasons why I felt uncomfortable being there. This was when things started to turn ... you will see it all play out soon but it was about this time that I saw that maybe Danielle had me a bit fooled when it comes to her changing her ways. You'll just have to "Watch what happens," as we love to say here at Bravo.

On a final and positive note, in some of the scenes you will see me wearing a red extension in my hair. This is a huge nation wide fundraiser for Project Ladybug. Please visit www.projectladybug.org or www.luckylocks.org to have your salon sign on to the campaign or to find a participating salon in your area. $10 a strand adds up! Can't wait to see you all sporting your red locks for Ladybug! Follow me on twitter for updates too @dinamanzo Please help us help these children. Together we can make a difference in the lives of children with cancer! Thank you! xo