On Lauri's Beef and Vicki's Antics

First, I want to apologize for not submitting my blog last week. I was travelling and by the time I had a chance to watch last week's episode it was after it had already aired and was really disappointed and didn't have the strength to write anything. To tell you the truth, I was in a state of shock and really just needed time to digest everything that was said about me.

I felt you, my loyal fans and even those who don't support me – need to know the truth and therefore I need to go back in time to have you understand the problem between Lauri and I. Keep in mind, this goes back years ago, and I thought we were way past it and had moved on. I know I thought it was behind us, but I guess she felt differently.

When Lauri worked for me over seven years ago, we were social friends. I met her through a mutual friend of ours, and I knew her only casually. I helped her when she needed me for a job, and I never had any negative or bad feelings towards her. I thought everything was fine between us when she left our show a few years ago, as we were still cordial and nice to one another when we did see each other. The fact that she decided to come back with all of these lies about me is nothing short of hurtful and mean. So, in order to defend myself I need to fill you all in.

I received a phone call from George’s ex-mother-in-law at my work who proceeded to tell me some "not so nice" things about George. She told me that her ex-son in law (George) was "not so nice" to his children and her daughter and that I should let Lauri know this. Since Lauri was a new friend of mine, I really didn't know what to do with this information. I was not real close with her, but she did work for me and I didn't want to get in her personal relationship with George, nor did I want to hurt her with this information because I didn't know if it was true or just malicious information.

When I hung up the phone, I had two choices to make. Tell Lauri about this call that I received, or not. Since Lauri was so happy with George, and since I didn't really want to get in the middle of it, I decided not to tell Lauri. The phone call followed up with an email from the mother-in-law, and again I did not tell Lauri. Jeana Keough and I were close friends at that time, and I went to Jeana and asked her opinion of what I should do. My intentions were good, and that I didn't want to hurt Lauri at all nor did I want to get into their new relationship in any way shape or form. Jeana happened to tell some other people and it got back to Lauri and she was upset that I didn't go to her with this negative information on George.

If I could go back in time (over seven years ago now), I would have gone directly to Lauri, never to Jeana, and just kept it between us. I had no intentions on hurting Lauri or talking behind her back. I never went to the press with this information, and never went "public" about this. I actually was very uncomfortable with this information from George's ex-mother-in-law and I really wanted it to go away. This is Lauri's "beef" with me. There is nothing else other than this. I was there for Lauri when she was going through her divorce when no one else was, and I really had good intentions.

The difference between Lauri and I, is that I really cared for her and that I never wanted to hurt her. Now that she has returned -- I guess she has an axe to grind with me and decided to come back to stir the pot. Maybe her life is a little boring, maybe the perfect Brady Bunch as she described her family wasn't so perfect after all, and maybe she just missed us all. I doubt any of that is actually true though. In any event, staying quiet and letting her throw out lies about me is something I can't do. You will see as the episodes evolve, I do approach her on this, but at least now you will have some background on what and why this is happening with her.

When I heard and saw her conversation with Gretchen about "Vicki in bed with another woman and a man" I almost threw up. Talk about my blood boiling is an understatement. The truth of the matter is I took Lauri on an insurance convention with me in New Orleans. We actually filmed that trip which I believe was either Season 1 or 2. It was prior to her meeting George. Everything was great with us, as I took her on the trip to introduce her to my colleagues/friends and insurance professionals. One of the people who was on the trip was one of my sisters, who also was in the insurance industry. I had some of my close friends (who happened to be a few men) to my room for a cocktail party, which included Lauri, and my sister. It was really late in the evening, and a few of us sat on the bed talking while Lauri and others were in the room and was also part of this conversation. There was nothing ever inappropriate going on the entire time, everyone was FULLY CLOTHED, and she twisted it to Gretchen insinuating that I had a "threesome."  It is filthy, raunchy and just disgusting on how and why she would say this about me. I am guessing that she decided to enter back into our lives to put unnecessary garbage and junk into Gretchen and others minds so she would get attention. Sorry Lauri -- the truth always comes out and I can have anyone that was in that room attest to the fact that SHE IS LYING!

Lauri also mentioned something about a Greek man with "no teeth" that I brought home with me. That statement is another LIE. How and why would I bring a Greek man to United States with me, or even back to my hotel room when I was with 15 women the entire time?

This is what happened so you can understand how she has once again twisted the truth about something I told her into a lie. Over six years ago, one of my very dear friends invited me to Greece to go on a cooking/wine trip for eight days. Since I had never been out of the country, I thought it would be a great experience. I roomed with my friend, as well and the other women had a "roommate" as well. I was never alone or apart from my roommate the entire eight days. When I returned from Greece, Lauri was still working for me and I told her how attractive some of the Greek men and women. I told her we went dancing one evening and how much fun we all had and that we had met a group of young men that were a lot of fun. Nothing ever was inappropriate, or was there ever a time I was alone with them. The fact that she LIED again saying that I brought back a "toothless" Greek man is just unbelievable. My friend that I roomed with happened to see this episode and she called me and said “What is Lauri talking about? We were never apart for eight days, you never brought a Greek man back home nor did you have a relationship with any of them”. Again, another lie from Lauri, fabricating the truth.

Lastly, Lauri saying that I had multiple men during my marriage to Donn is another lie. Truth of the matter is I am in a male-dominated industry and I have a lot of male friends. I respect myself enough to know that I am not that person who Lauri insinuated me being. I am a mother and a businesswoman first; a loving person, and I have moral integrity. It's been hard enough for me to expose some the truth on this show that I was not proud of, but I won't tolerate lies. I feel sorry for Lauri that she felt she had to stoop this low and the only thing I can do is pray for her. Bottom line is I know who I am when no one is looking, and I sleep well at night knowing I am a godly woman who has moral integrity.

Now that I have that cleared up -- onto Mexico. Phew. As most of you know, I have a condo in Puerto Vallarta. We have travelled there on the show a few times in the past so when I found out we were going back there my only goal was to get the girls to my favorite bar Andale's. I have been going there for over 25 years now, and I know all the local bartenders and waitresses. It always has good music and anyone I bring there always has a great time.

I had mentioned to the girls that I wanted to take them to a fun bar. Gretchen and Heather both said they were up for it, and then through the evening they said they were tired. Lydia, Tamra and I waited over 20 minutes outside the restaurant for them, and we wanted to go to Andale’s. We relayed back to the hostess and to let them know we were going to walk there, and for them to grab a cab. It's obvious from looking at the show that they never got that message, but that wasn't our fault. They knew where we went, and if they really wanted to join us they could have. They knew where we went so I don't understand how they acted like we "ditched" them.

Tamra, Lydia and I walked about 30 minutes to get to the bar, and along the way we bought those flashing rabbit ears. It was so much fun to wear those. I know it wasn't another good hair night for me, as the humidity and my hair turn out to be brutal on me.

When we got back to the condo, I didn't expect it to be a big deal. We all thought it was their choice not to go, so why would they be mad? Tamra and I had a blast, we laughed a lot and really feel like we made headway in our friendship.

Yes, I'm utterly embarrassed on the little "leak" I did on her bed. After a few tequila shots, no time to stop for a bathroom break I leaked when I was laughing so hard. Please excuse that as my formal apology as I was not proud of that whatsoever and very embarrassed. Ugh.

The strippers that showed up at the condo, were again very embarrassing and disturbing. I did not know Gretchen had booked them to show up, and quite frankly if I did I would have stayed back in my room. I do not think it was classy or appropriate for them to jump on me or the other ladies, and I wish I had never been around it. I felt bad for Tamra because they were very forceful and I know she felt very uncomfortable with them there.

Tamra is very much in love with Eddie, and although the bachelorette weekend was a little bit "disturbing," it's over and behind us and she is getting married very soon.

Looking back on these past few episodes, I feel very embarrassed and humiliated on some of the things that were said about me. What I do know is that I am a 51-year-old business woman who takes pride in my morals, my ethics and my family. Unfortunately, this has not shown in these past few weeks and all I can say is. . .I am sorry.

We all have made wrong decisions in the past, and the only thing we can do is learn from them. Life is a lesson, and I feel like I'm back in second grade attempting to continue to soak in all the lessons I can.

Lastly, I am not jealous of Gretchen or envious of Gretchen. She seems to think I am, and I am not. I want the best for Gretchen as I do for all of my friends. I just want her to leave me alone as I have done with her for the past few years. She doesn't take the time to listen to me or hear my side, so there is no point in engaging in a debate with her to try and defend myself.

For any of you who haven't received our free Rx prescription card, please email us at linda@cotoinsurance.com your address and name and Linda will mail it to you. This is a FREE Rx card that will provide you with 0-50 percent. If you are in the need of free life insurance rates, visit our website at CotoInsurance.com.

Thank you to those who continue to believe in me. I promise you, I won't let you down. Have a great week.

Vicki
xoxo