Great Sadness

Well here we are at the end of the season of The Real Housewives of Orange County. When I look back and reflect on this season, it brings me great sadness. Starting this season’s filming in August of 2010, I had no idea what would unfold in my personal life. I guess that’s why they call it reality TV.

I was so pleased with how my backyard turned out for the fall party. I had planned it a few months before and really couldn’t cancel it due to my personal issues, so I decided to go ahead with it anyway. I had no idea how difficult it was going to be for me when the day actually came without Donn being there. I had never hosted a party without Donn, and it made me very sad. When my makeup artist was trying to put my makeup on, it became almost comical, because every time she would get my eyes finished, I started crying again and she had to keep fixing it.

It was nice that the girls came up to the bathroom to rally me downstairs to see everyone. I don’t know if I could have gone down on my own without some nudging. Tamra definitely knows how emotional it is to go through a separation, and she’s been a great friend to me through all of this. Thank you, Tamra, I love you!

My brother Billy flew in from Chicago to support me and be there, which was a huge thing for me. The support of my family and close friends has been great, and any of you that are or have gone through a divorce knows how important it is.

Only a short time into the party, I heard some commotion in the middle of my backyard and realized it was Tamra and Jeana arguing. I knew ahead of time that Tamra was going to serve Jeana with a cease and desist letter to tell her to stop talking to the press and newspapers, but I didn’t know when it was going to happen. There has been a lot of tension between Jeana and Tamra this year, because Jeana got in the middle of Tamra and Simon’s personal issues. Tamra had asked Jeana on several occasions to stop talking about her, and she wouldn’t, so Tamra really had no other choice.

When I heard Tamra screaming at Jeana I immediately went over to them to see if I could help, and that’s when the pushing and wine throwing started. I think I counted five glasses of wine thrown…unbelievable. Here I’m thinking we are going to have a nice, quiet party, and the next thing I know it was anything but that! You couldn’t script all of that to happen even if you tried.

Well the dust has settled since that party, we have all resumed our non TV camera lives, which is always good. Trying to juggle filming, my business, and my family is always a challenge each year. There are times when I just don’t know how much longer I can do it.

We filmed the reunion show two weeks ago, and I have to say watch out New Jersey, this is going to be a good one. Let’s put it this way, every one of us cried including, Jeana Keough, which never happens.

I wish all of you a healthy, happy and wonderful summer. Keep me in mind if you are in the need of any life insurance, 401K/IRA rollover planning, or if you want a good book to read this summer called More Than a Housewife.

I challenge all of you to love one another more, apologize more, spend less, save more, and plan to save for your retirement now! It will be here before you know it. If you have had a job change or need a safe place to invest your money, please visit my website www.cotoretirementplanning.com for more information. I’d be happy to help you with your retirement investment goals and planning needs.

Many blessings to all of you, and thank you so much for your support during this past season. All of your messages to me about your marriages and your relationships have been very good for me to read to know that I’m not alone during this transition in my life.

Warmly,

Vicki Gunvalson

www.vickigunvalson.com