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Cause and Effect

Caroline talks Ashley's rash behavior, Albie's dream to become an attorney, and more.

By Caroline Manzo

 

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 14 premiere May 5th at 8/9c on Bravo and stream next day on Peacock.

Hello again! I don’t know about you, but it sure feels like these weeks are flying by. It seems like yesterday that I was tapping away on my computer writing my blog for Episode 10, and here I am commenting on Episode 11 already! They say time flies when you’re having fun...well, are you having fun? I hope so.

How bout those Giudice girls? Have you ever seen so much confidence and "fabulous" attitude packed into such pint-size bodies? Between Teresa training them to be girly girls, and Joe's teaching them to be tough as nails, I have a feeling that no guy is going to stand a chance with them. They'll be looking gorgeous while telling him who's the boss and he'll probably have no problem with it at all.

I appreciated the fact that Joe makes an effort to spend some "daddy time" with his daughters. Not only does it give Teresa a well-deserved rest, but it also makes the girls feel like their doing something special with their dad. Love it.

I thought Joe was adorable as he showed Teresa the pizzeria. I got a kick out of it when he told her to put the apron on. Trust me, I've been there. When you're in the restaurant business there will be days where you'll be working in the kitchen wearing an apron. GUARANTEED. It's the nature of the beast, and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm willing to bet that if Joe really needed Teresa to work, she'd be right there beside him helping out. Granted, her apron would probably be a sequined leopard print, but she'd be there.

Joe commented to Teresa about moving into one of the apartments above the pizzeria in the event of an issue with their house. I'm not 100% privy to the reality of their financial situation, so I don't feel comfortable talking about it. I do know that there were investment properties that were impacted by the economy that may have issues, and I'm hoping that things get turned around for them. In any event, I think Joe did a nice job on the apartments, "sun roofs" and all.

Let's jump over to the scene in my kitchen (aren't they all?) with Jacqueline and Ashley. We heard it through the grapevine that Ashley was about to be charged regarding the incident at the country club. I wanted to give Jacqueline the heads up so she wouldn't be blindsided when the summons arrived. I've never had to deal with the issues that Jacqueline faces with Ashley, so I sometimes have a little less tolerance than Jacqueline has shown. I tried to convey to Ashley that she walked into a trap and now she may have some long-term consequences due to her actions. I'll say it again, WHAT ASHLEY DID WAS WRONG. You never, never have the right to lay your hand on someone unless it is in self-defense. But, if in fact she was carried away by the moment, and believed her mom to be in danger, then I get WHY she did it. Remember, this is an eighteen-year-old kid with a huge chip on her shoulder. I think her age and her pent up aggressions played a huge part in this. Again, doesn't make it right. I would have liked to see some remorse from Ashley, but she was strong in her convictions and she had made up her mind. I feel bad for her in one regard. She doesn't get it. She doesn't understand that in life you make decisions, and those decisions are based on a cause, and have an effect. Ashley is stuck on the "cause" and doesn't stop to think about the effect. I'm hoping that this will be a lesson learned. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

 

 

OK, we're in the kitchen again!!! Breakfast with the kids is always entertaining. I sometimes feel like a short order cook having orders barked out to me. I'm sure most of you can relate! However, I have to admit, there have been many, many times when Al, Christopher, and Lauren have been on the receiving end of those orders. (Notice I didn't mention Albie, that boy has no interest in cooking!) To be totally honest, I sometimes wish I was the only one doing the cooking because the mess that crew makes is not worth the time off!

Lauren and Christopher work with Al at The Brownstone and have been there for a while. Albie used to work there before he went away to college so he is very familiar with the routine. While Albie was an undergrad at Fordham University he interned for a very high profile NY Criminal Defense Attorney, as well as a very successful NJ firm the summer before entering law school. Once he started law school it was decided that Albie needed to give his full attention to school and therefore school would be his only "job." I can understand where Albie's reluctance to help out at The Brownstone comes from. In his mind that would be considered a failure, running to daddy to be his safety net. Allow me to explain something to you, that's ridiculous. If there's one thing Albert and I have always taught our kids it's the value of a good day's work and having a very strong work ethic. In our world there's no such thing as being the boss's son/daughter. You work hard, you respect everyone, and you get paid the same as everyone else. No better, no worse. Keep on watching, this isn't over yet.

I know many of you were probably having a stroke when I told Albie I'd follow him to school. RELAX!!! JOKING!!! That's what we do in our house, get used to it!!! Let's not forget that Albie went to college and lived away from home for four years. Guess what? I survived!!! Whatever Albie needs to do, and wherever this road takes him, I will support him 100%. I may not love it, but I will support it. I do agree with Albert however, sunny, golf courses, and oceans would be great for visitation purposes!

Finally, I feel the need to address some comments regarding Albie's story. We've received thousands of letters supporting Albie from men, women, and even children from all over the world in all walks of life. I've heard from executives, doctors, lawyers, writers, politicians, teachers, students, mothers, fathers, etc., etc., etc. Some told me of their struggles with learning disabilities and how they were told the same thing Albie was, and now they are living their dreams in spite of what they were told. I've received letters from children as young as ten years old saying they learned from watching Albie that even if they have a learning disability, they can still go to college. There were letters from people going through the exact same thing at the exact same moment, and watching Albie gave them the courage to keep on following the dream.

 

For every 500 letters there was one or two that weren't so kind. These are the people I need to address. There were many assumptions made as to whether or not Albie studied hard enough, or if he decided to "brand himself" with a learning disability as an excuse for failure. There were some who said that Albie didn't have what it takes to be an attorney. Albie had his first IEP at the age of 11. He has been taking advantage of special services throughout his academic career, starting in middle school and continuing through high school and his undergrad studies at Fordham University. After exhausting every effort to receive accommodations in law school, Albie took it upon himself to go to our family doctor who referred him to a psychologist and together they made the decision to put Albie on Adderall. He has proven himself to be extremely dedicated and committed to achieving his goals and dreams. Just for the record, Albie missed the GPA by 87 thousandths of one point. I would have to imagine that had he been given the services he requested, I wouldn't be telling this story right now.

As always, thank you for watching, and I'll see you next week!

Xoxo
C.

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