Let the Good Times Roll

So I actually liked this episode. It was great reliving the good times in Punta Cana and seeing my brother and my husband getting along again.

And I really did enjoy the local food market. That's what I always do when I'm in another country -- try to get to know the culture and the people. They have little markets like that in the village my parents are from in Italy. I will say though that after that visit, I decided my third cookbook isn't going to be a fusion cookbook -- I'm keeping it straight Italian. (Sorry, Andy, no pigs feet!)

Yes, I'm happy to announce that I am officially doing my third cookbook. It's called Fabulicious -- Fast & Fit. It has all new recipes, all low fat, less than ten ingredients, and less than thirty minutes prep! And yes, they are still Italian (no tofu or wheatgrass), delicious, veggie and WW friendly, can be gluten free, and I'm including full nutritional info! FAB3 will be out in Spring '12. Yes, I'll be doing another national book tour. So excited to meet you all (again!) and come to some new places! You can preorder it on Amazon. I'm so excited! Thank you all so much for supporting my family's recipes. It means so much to me.

I hate to write anything negative about Kathy since we ended the episode so well, but I just want to point out that for all her complaining, she can't win with me, I feel the same way about her! She's mad on the beach when I walk away, she's upset when I come back calm, she stews about it, talks to the cows about it... She said something that upset me, I got mad, I cooled off, done. I really don't carry grudges.  She carries stuff around forever. She's calling it a "battle" six days later. It's exhausting to me, and I have four little girls! You did see me apologize (for the hundredth time this season?), admit I overreacted, and try to patch things up with her. She is my cousin, she is my family, and I will love her no matter what.

I will say I didn't like everything they showed of course. The whole time we were filming, I had no idea what other people were saying about me. I just assumed they were all my friends. That's why you see me dancing around and trying to have fun in Punta Cana. It's not until I watch the shows that I see all four of the other ladies having a go at me. On the show, I might talk about a certain incident and how I felt about it, but I don't talk about personalities or their kids or how they spend their money, or how smart I think they are... I say, "She pissed me off, but I'm not going to let it bother me." Cut to everyone else: "Teresa can't be reasoned with, Teresa was dropped on her head as a baby," all about my "character flaws" and how I didn't "grow up," how I'm "cuckoo." I had no idea they were bashing me like that. Although, tell you the truth, even if I did, I wouldn't do it back. I'm just not like that. It's not fun to watch though.

Even though he's not a Housewife, and certainly not a "lady," I was also surprised by Greg. He's always acted like my friend, he begged to sit next to me at the Posche fashion show last year so he could be my "gay boyfriend" on camera, and I liked him. I thought he was funny. I had no idea he talked behind my back so much. But I guess he does it to everyone. During Melissa's song, she kept pointing at me every time she sang about people "trying to take her down." I didn't even notice it until Greg pointed it out to me. I don't know what he was trying to start or why, but I think it's sad that he plays both sides.

And I do want to clear up something I said about Melissa. I only joked that her body was 'On Display' because during the performance she was touching herself "downtown," and I was shocked. I wasn't expecting that to be part of her choreography! It was just a joke. She did a great job. And I was so proud of my husband for congratulating her publicly.

I do want to point out one of the reasons I love my Joe so much and why I married him. Did you see how laid back he is when people are talking crap? He's never cared what anyone has said ever. He just does his thing. He doesn't plot and worry and bitch and try to make other people look bad. He doesn't act fake. He just lives his life. He is what he is. He's not going to change for you, for me, and definitely not for the cameras. I love that about him, his confidence -- that he just doesn't get sucked into the bullsh--. He never has. I've lived with him for twelve years now. I love his philosophy: let them say what they want to say, I'm living my life. And it's an amazing life right now with amazing things happening. I'm so happy and I can't wait to share it all with you!

As for the craziness on Twitter, I don't think it's a very healthy place to be right now (I just can't take anyone who's suddenly friends again with Kim G. seriously, sorry!), so I'm going to slowly slip out of it, and maybe take a little break for a while. I have a big project I have to work on, and I want to spend every other second with my family. Don't worry, I'll be back!

I will be updating my website with pictures of the girls this fall and my appearance and book signing schedule (New York, Philly and South Carolina!).

Tanti Baci,

Teresa xx