Respect

I think the secret to maintaining a great relationship with an ex is to respect them. I will rarely say bad things about an ex. I have stayed friends with all my past relationships. My first husband Gary Tomasino is still one of my dearest friends today. He is actually my broker at the moment. I remember the good times and never dwell on the bad times. In divorce you try to play fair and treat the other as you would want to be treated. Matt has been in my life for 23 years, he is the father of my children, and through no fault of his had a career ending injury. I knew nothing of head injuries and with 2 kids and a baby on the way I didn't take the time to learn more. I believed the doctor when they said 5 weeks and he will back on the field. 6 weeks later the Angels retired him. He went through depression that I wasn't equipped to deal with. It was a huge learning curve that I have lived with these last 16 years. It has been hard on the kids and me and we are finally ready to move on. It is with great sadness that I admit defeat. I am highly competitive and it kills me that I couldn't save my marriage. Matt is a wonderful man that had a whole life taken away in an instant. Everything he had worked for his whole life changed - it was a huge adjustment and I wish him luck in his next phase of life without me. I am sure that the peace and quiet he will now get to enjoy will be very relaxing to him.

Vicki loves to work hard, and so do I. We both try not to let our work interfere with our shooting days but sometimes it can't be helped. Tamra is extremely busy with her kids, Quinn is always running to charities, Tammy Knickerbocker started a foundation, Housewives for Housewives - we all have busy full lives and rely on the support of our friends to get us through the day. We have become such close friends that we are like sisters, sometimes we argue, but TV doesn't always show the special things we do for each other.

I have always loved Del Mar. Uncle Richie's dad actually named a horse after me when we met 23 years ago. Miss Tomasino won a few then I believe was claimed. It was exciting and I have spent many days at the track by the sea and at Santa Anita. I had friends that were trainers, I actually filmed part my centerfold at Bobby Frankel's, my first husband and I met on horseback and my 30th birthday present from Matt was a horse. It gave me many hours and years of pleasure and Sugar just died in 2008. Matt's mom Sharon and I spent a lot of time together riding. The children all rode from the time they could sit up in front of Grandma. Taking care of horses teaches children a lot.

I loved my day at the races - Kara and a few others won big. Everyone looked beautiful - I loved our hats! The weather, the limo ride, and being with both new and old friends made it the perfect day.

If one of the cast members said I always "befriend the underdog," that makes sense to me. I was the middle of five children and am always mentoring and giving advice to kids looking for jobs, that's why they call me Mama Jeans.