Let the Games Begin

Hi everyone!!!

Coming into this season I can honestly say, I have never been so invigorated, refreshed, and excited to begin filming. I was also looking forward to seeing all of the girls and meeting our newest housewife, Cindy Barshop. I had spent the summer redefining my life and focusing on the things most important to me: my family and friends. I bunkered down in the Hamptons, did pilates three times a week, took walks on the beach, played with my grandchildren, hosted visiting friends and family and rested. I also remember a stunning day in the Hamptons when my sister Lisa and I spent the morning walking on the beach talking about our lives past, present, and future. We both collected a rock that day to remember it forever.

It was times like that, that made me put things in perspective. I always say that you can have everything you want, but not always at the same time. Allyson was leaving for her freshman year of college and I needed to figure out "What I am supposed to do now?" I decided to come back to the show for many reasons. Bobby, my parents and sister were adamant that I come back for so many reasons, but my final decision was made by all of you, my fans. You helped me in more ways than I can ever write in a blog. You know who you are when I say that without you, I would never have come back to the show. You wrote me, sent me letters and gifts, and showed up in droves when I had appearances or book signings in your town. You shared your most intimate thoughts and problems with me and and as much as you thought I was giving you the advice, you were keeping me going and giving me the inner strength to forge forward.

Of course, it would be unrealistic to see the girls and pretend last season never happened. When I invited Kelly over to help me pack for Australia, the conversation about last season and the fight with B was very spontaneous. I was wrong to think I could flow into the filming process of Housewives without any feelings coming out. Kelly was great that day, and I really felt purged after we talked. I can't make people just disappear from my history. My history makes me who I am today, good and bad, and as much as I would like to erase things in my past and never talk about them again. . .sometimes you just can't. BTW, I also over packed!

Meeting Cindy was a fabulous surprise. She is an incredible girl who I adore, admire, and respect. You are going to love her this season and trust me, she is not going to sit back as the new girl! Cindy is full of spunk and energy. Her party was lots of fun. I loved the foot painting as well. I took the paint on my feet all the way to Australia!

The last thing I'll say about this episode: the little bicker I had with Alex at the wedding is not a precursor for how this season will go for us. Many surprising things will happen. We fought hard and laughed harder.

This is going to be the best season yet so buckle up. Episode 1 barely scratched the surface. Wait until next week!

WWHL comment: Tonight Ramona said that if I Google wearing white to a wedding I will see that everyone says it is fine. . .and anyway. . .she wore OFF WHITE. Well I did and this is what I found: Brides.com responded to a question from a reader concerning her fiancé's mother wanting to wear white to the wedding and the bride being against this. According to the website, the bride wins: "white, which traditionally has symbolized youth and purity, is worn only by the bride. That goes for ivory, cream, off-white, linen and all other pale variations." The Knot agreed that white shouldn't be worn by any woman other than the bride: "Female guests should not wear white—it's really, really not polite to take away from the bride on her special day by wearing her color. Try to avoid off-white and ivory, too, if at all possible. It's not as if you don't own or can't buy something another color, right?"

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Let the games begin!

Love and Kisses XOXO

Jill ( Bobby and Ginger too!)