you go bethanny! just be yourself, i know what original advice. kelly is so jealous of you she can't see straight. i don't even want to hear her try to talk circles to explain that one. weird stuff w/ that one. good luck, i too would love to meet someone i could spend sundays with. all i know is that God has a plan.

Wow! The Mary Horton comment below was very inspiring! Thanks for sharing your story. Bethenny may not read it, but those who need to hear your story might wander in here and be touched, like I was!

Jan

Bethenny,
In regards to what the media is saying about your outfit at the Derby: It doesn't matter what you wear, you could be covered with mud for all I care. You're still the same to me.......Cute and classy! Yo go girl! ;)

Katherine from Texas

Hey Bethany

Saw you at the Oaks. You were surrounded by some friends, so I didn't want to bother you. You looked wonderful and I hope that your trip to Kentucky was a wonderful one.

Take care.

Dear Bethanny,
I'm very much like you in my own social circle in Washington DC.
Although I grew up as the daughter of a diplomat and married young to a very high society man in in New York, my life has been different. His best friends were the Vanderbilts, Whitneys, and DuPonts and that whole scene. I'm 56, so I was in the City during a crazy time.
My husband had so much money when we were 20, we had an apartment in the city, a house in New Canaan, and all the bells and whistles, while we were in college.
The marriage did not work, in part, because I was different. I have worked my own way even with all that. In my case, old money does not work with choosing to work hard to feel good about one's achievements.
I'm writing you to say how much I respect you. I know how tough it is to be around other women who don't understand hard work - to keep a roof over your head, to pay the bills, to make it on their own in a high society world.
You stand out for this reason and so many more. You are funny, honest and willing to give of your time which the other women do not understand since time for them is about playing a role.
I don't mean to take away from the good works they do, but there is so much more to what you do. It's more genuine, you are so much more sophisticated and smart than the others. You have made a mark through your own hard work and diligence and it seems to be completely ignored by some of these women.
I'm sorry at times they seem judgmental of you. Fortunately, when I was well, I was the caregiver and "mother" to most of my women friends. They have stood by me and don't seem to feel uncomfortable with their riches. I never ask for help, never, even when we are drowning. I think that makes a big difference.

I feel very lucky in that I don't have a jealous bone in my body. After I got MS, and had 2 of my 3 children with serious health problems, our financial situation became a nightmare. You see, the second time around I married a school teacher.
Even though we roll with the rich and famous, I feel incredibly lucky to have kept personal integrity and dignity. We have a rough time coming up, with 2 children starting college, which means we will be paying off 3 loans, since our eldest finished last year.

I don't know if we will make it, but I have rented out 2 rooms in our dynamite house. You would have thought I had become a hooker!
You know, I just made it clear we do what we have to do and there is no embarrassment.

You do that. You have nothing to be ashamed of, and I find it infuriating that your friends seem to judge you for things that make you a true inspiration.
Obviously, we don't and won't ever meet, but I wanted you to know I find you truly amazing, heads above the others.
I don't watch TV, but decided to watch this show because of my time in New York.

Please know there are women out there like me who think you are the most impressive, interesting, and insightful woman on the show. I'm sure you get hundreds of these every day. I don't know how you landed with this group, and they all seem to have redeeming qualities, but you are what we all aspire to be. You are self made, brilliant, genuine, funny, beautiful, and last but not least, fearless. Hang in there woman. You have a friend out there who thinks you are the best.
If you ever want to visit Washington DC, you've got a friend here. All my good wishes and congratulations. Mary Horton

*I know Bethenny won't read this, but I would hope it would go in the "I think you are great box"

I'll be at the Oaks and the Derby (and I am a Louisvillian). This is my family's most important holiday. Have fun!

Bethenny" I would just like to say how I think you have the patients of Job, to sit down an even try and talk to that ding-bat Kelly. That chick is so way out there until it's unreal how she has gotten as far in life with the understanding she has is by the grace of God. So to you Bethenny I just want to say how well you handel your self with that nutt!

Can't wait to hear your take on Oaks/Derby Fashion! Enjoy your visit to our fair city!

Bethenny~

You were great on Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda! Loving that hat! Glad to hear you will be at The Oaks and The Derby! Wise idea to have a serious racetrack girl at the races! Loved your Birthday episode last season! Jill really seemed to "get" the racetrack, you nailed describing "the track scene" and Sam bugled for you! FUN!

Have a superb Derby weekend!

Loving Bethenny!!!

first let me say i have no idea why i watch all 4 housewives most of the time. the idea that we think its ok to be spoiled and pampered and selfish and then try and justify it by saying i do cahrity work makes me crazy.
but i do watch and i do like most of the housewives--
but i can sooooooo do without tamara and vicki -- i dont watch when kelly is on -- i walk out of the room --and ramona is so freakin silly then add in her husband-- lord i feel so sorry for her i cant watch her either-- i am embarrased for her. i love jill;bethenny and alex and of course gretchen .. i wont be watching the next season of orange county housewives they are so mean and spoiled but i look foward to the new jersey housewives--

Would love to see you at the derby but the average Louisvillian can not afford the clothes or tickets to get there. Hope you have fun and enjoy the southern hospitality

Take me with you ! I'm ugly but I've always wanted to go ,and I think it would a rip with you .I get the drink's!