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Gretchen Rossi
Burlesque Bash!: Gretchen Rossi explains going from hostess to house nurse, and responds to hurtful gossip.

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I was super surprised to see my burlesque party show up in this episode because we filmed it much later in the series, and there was so much more that went on that night! I had tons of yummy food and one of my best girlfriends made the most amazing desserts ever! They were beautifully displayed on platters in the kitchen and they were the highlight of the night it seemed, because they were so delicious! Her company is called Sweet Spills. Go visit her website to see her yummy creations: http://sweetspils.com

The whole theme of the night was to teach me and my girlfriends a few fun things about burlesque style stuff - to learn how to do some fun burlesque/pin-up sexy girl makeup and learn a little "shimmy" dance from the burlesque girls. We actually all did get up and do a shimmy together, so I was super bummed they didn't show it because it was cute and funny. My girlfriend Ally Fisher who works at Holiday in Newport Beach did a little lesson on makeup application and was so sweet and brought all the girls makeup bags full of goodies. All my friends are super talented and gifted and I felt they showed too much of me and missed so much of them! What really made the party fun was the interaction and everyone participating in the fun!

The peacock outfit I was wearing was from my 30th birthday bash that Jeff threw me last year and it was custom made! It is one of my favorite outfits ever! However I didn't wear the authentic panties that came with it because it probably would have been too revealing for television (that outfit was already a little over the top, so it was probably a good idea I didn't wear the original ones I got to go with it.) I had so much fun with my girlfriends at the party, and seeing the footage makes me realize how truly blessed I was to have so much love and support from friends and family this past year while Jeff was sick. My friends and family encouraged me constantly to do things outside of taking care of Jeff, in order to take care of my own spirit through it all. Most of them saw the constant pain I was dealing - they saw me worried all the time, stressed, constantly crying, upset and depressed often, and just the physical drain of taking care of someone so sick. They really wanted me to get away at times to have fun, which is what Jeff wanted for me as well. So the party was a perfect way for me to do that. It was hard sometimes to relax because I wasn't sure if it was right, but once I did, I was happy because it revived me.

You get so caught up in the routine of the hospital, doctors, IV and TPN administration at home, what meds to take, worrying if he has taken his pills today, has he eaten (if he could) today, up all night with him checking for fever, or helping him to the bathroom, grabbing a throw up bucket and helping him through those tough moments etc. etc. that you sometimes even forget to stop and make sure you ate yourself. So I am glad I had friends push me to take time off to do things that were fun and took my mind off of things.

You will see in the series that I travel to a few different places due to encouragement from both Jeff and friends and family to get away and get refreshed, but I always made sure he was well taken care of. His kids would come out and stay with him when I went out of town with family or friends for a quick reprieve. Jeff always encouraged it and I am grateful that he understood that sometimes I needed time away from it all. You see with cancer, you eat, live, and breathe it. The illness becomes your life - no matter how far away you travel or how much fun you try to have to forget about it, it's always there in the back of your mind.

Comments

11 Comments

: 10/09/2009 - 10:36pm; Viewer; Hello Gretchen,
I love your hair esp the color!!! What may i ask do u tell your hair stylist color wise to do? I have been trying to find your look (blond wise) forever!! I am a natural blond but still have trouble with highlighting:( please tell me your secret :)

: 08/17/2009 - 6:56pm; LJ; Hi Gretchen I too absolutely LOOOOVE your hair! I would love it if you made a quick video of the products that you use and how you style your hair! Thanks!!!!

08/12/2009 - 2:05am

Sandra

Hi Gretchen,

I'm so sorry for your loss of your fiance. You are so much nicer & prettier than Tamra & Vicki, I think they are very jealous of you! Could you please tell us exactly how you do your hair? How many rollers do you use & the exact placement? i love your hair, it's beautiful!!!

06/21/2009 - 8:18am

noelle

Is there a special way to get my hair cut so I can style it like yours? Would you be able to share the name of your hair stylist? Your hair looks great!

: 06/13/2009 - 7:52pm; Ocean Girl; who makes those rollers? they are purple,,, I have looked everywhere, does anyone know? thanks keepin cool

: 06/12/2009 - 3:23am; Tiffany; Hey Gretchen, I just wanted to tell you that you are absolutely my favorite on the show.... You are beautiful and I love your HAIR!!!! Lol, I know you get told that ALOT, but I do. If you give your secrets away, what brand name products and hairspray do you use before and after you style your hair and how do you place your hot rollers in your hair. I think you should just make a video of you doing your hair and put it on the internet so that way nobody would ask you about your hair again. Haha. But anyway. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks, Tiffany :)

: 06/11/2009 - 11:28pm; amber; what kind of hot rollers do you use? how do you do it? what kind of product do you use in your hair? what kind of makeup do you wear? Looks like MAC but I just want to make sure. Your hair is so beautiful, I can't wait to do mine like yours! Thanks

: 04/29/2009 - 12:36am; Jolyn; Miss Gretchen,
It broke may heart to heart that Jeff lost his bout with Cancer. My father also passed from Cancer. I even hate saying the word. It's been 6 years. It gets easier but, you still have that void of them in your heart. I never once thought you never loved him. You too were so cute together.
To become a care giver to someone you love is one of te hardest things and one of the most rewarding tings in our lives. It doesn't seemlike it at the time. But, hw wonderful it is that we can be the ones to be there to help them in thier time of need. Not some cold person that doesn't even know them.
I hope you are comforted in the fact that you will see him again in the next life. He is your guardian angel now. It doesn't make it any easier sometimes to think that you can't hold on to him when your lonesome.
You are so beautiful and ou know he would want you to move on with our life and not put it on hold just because he can't be there. Because in a way he is. The memories, his kids, ( what a great relationship you have with them), and you also have the show to look back on.
I hope the other wives will cut ou some slack. I know Vickie and Tamra were not the nicest to you. They of course considered you a gold digger. I hope all that is behind you. You are so beautiful in side and out.
Love a friend from afar. Jolyn

: 04/19/2009 - 10:41pm; Jennifer Hanks; Gretchen,
First & formost you have a beautiful spirit! I can assure you I feel your pain when it comes to defending your position with Jeff. I married in August 08 to a man 20 years older than me. The ex-wife & ex-girlfriends say I only married him for what he could do for me. Lomb story short financial hardship came without warning & I'm still here. I know if I do right by my husband god will bless me. I hope you found that to be true because I know you took exceptional care of jeff. Do you color, highlight, or bleach your hair? Gorgeous!! What kind of hot rollers? How do you roll it? God bless you.

: 03/05/2009 - 11:18pm; Brandi McCommas; Gretch!!!! I Love u and have been a fan since the first season! I am sooooo sorry for all that was on air. I never thought u were a gold diggin whore. Jeff seemed liked the sweetest guy! I'm sure u knew!

: 02/25/2009 - 2:09am; Viewer; Hi Gretchen,
If you ever come to Alaska. I would love to show you around Sitka. I lived through a friend while he died of cancer. I know what you are going through. Call me if you want some peace and quiet. 907-738-6407

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