The Real Housewives of Cucamonga

Okay, I admit it, I love the Housewives shows...the embellished halter tops of Orange County, the one shoulder satin dresses of Beverly Hills, the snobby attitudes of New York and of course the animal skin, big hair and crazy accents of New Jersey. All of these shows have something in common....women behaving badly. So why do I watch? Maybe it's my fascination with sparkly platform shoes, or closets that look like a small boutique or maybe it's that I can't wait to see what Jiggy, the hairless dog, who has a better wardrobe than I do will wear to dinner. Regardless of why I watch, this REAL Housewife franchise has nothing to do with reality and for that, I am thankful. My real life housewife friends are just as beautiful but way smarter, funnier, creative, supportive and kind. They make my life rich and I don't mean dollars and cents.


Yesterday, after watching a Housewives Reunion special, I started thinking about MY friends and just how lucky I am. My friend, Diane, who I have known for over 30 years has been bugging me to write a book. She even bought me some "how to write" books for my birthday. So I have her to thank for this blog. It is not a book, but I am writing and about 10 people read my blog from yesterday....baby steps. Friends are important for stuff like that. They know your strengths and weaknesses and push you to try stuff that you think is too hard....just like a personal trainer which is a perfect analogy since that is what Diane does for a living.


 When I was a kid, my dad always told me to have all kinds of people for friends because if something weird went down or you got in a jam, certain friends could come to your aid. At the time I thought that was funny advice for a shy, quiet girl....what kind of jam would I ever get into where I had to call in a favor of a savory individual? But as I grew older, I think he was right. If all of our friends are just like us, we never learn new stuff, have interesting adventures or leave our comfort zone. Girl friends should pull out the best part of you. I think a perfect friend is someone who rallies for you, laughs with you and should be allowed to laugh at you. She's got your back and tells you when you're off course. She is your Goose to your Maverick.


 When I was young, my girls showed up at weddings and showers, the huge over- the-top party I threw for my one year old, Easter egg hunts and Nordstrom half yearlies.  As the years go by, these same girls have attended parent's funerals, (even sang at them) stood by hospital beds, cleaned my house, brought my family dinners, gave of their time to stay with my son in a hospital so I could go to work, showed up at my place of business and volunteered, stuck by me in embarrassing situations and surrounded my family with love...these are the REAL HOUSEWIVES OF CUCAMONGA. Oh sure, some wear animal print, a few own halter tops, most can rock a pair of platform heels but all of them are a GIFT, even better than the ones the Housewives receive in the light blue Tiffany box!