What happens when somebody that battles with OCD is given a book about somebody that battles with OCD and they become obsessed with it?
Howie Mandel’s Here’s The Deal: Don’t Touch Me is ingenious! Combining humor with a serious look at the daily struggles, anguish and despair that accompanies OCD and ADHD, this is an excellent read for not only those affected by these conditions, but for anyone who’s a Mandel fan! 

Thanks Mom….I think!

Wishing each and every one of you the best 2010 has to offer!

Another Christmas has come and gone and no coal in the stocking for me. Santa is sure getting easier to fool in his older years. However, the reindeer poo on my doorstep maybe a warning and cause to err on the side of caution this upcoming year.
Christmas was good, I do miss secretly peaking outside throughout the night for signs of a shiny red sleigh dashing through the air. I miss the ritual of leaving cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer on Christmas Eve. I miss the 4:00 a.m. pleads to get out of bed and squeals of delight as each present is opened. But…that was so last year. Obviously, I’ve done some growing up!
After receiving a phone call that put the “icing on the cake” so to speak, (more on that as time permits…) we were off to spend the day at my mom’s surrounded by family, minus my sister and her family. My sister did however fly in from Seattle for a surprise visit the week before. Surprises are always nice. Seeing my sister is always nice!
Along with the deviled eggs I am assigned to bring each year, I decided I want to bake a homemade pie. Originally I had found a recipe I wanted to try out, but both my boys wanted apple, so apple pie it was. It was going to be my first homemade and I was so excited to use that ‘apparatus’ that my mom had handed down to me awhile back. I remember watching my grandma peeling apples with an old ‘apparatus.’ As I caught and ate each peeling she would say, “Annie, (my nickname growing up) you’re going to get a bellyache if you eat too many…” now it was my turn to use it…minus the grand kids!! How proud grandma would be of me! As I took the ’apparatus’ out of my china cabinet earlier in the day to wash and inspect it, it became clear it was missing a part, or something. I called my mom who assured me everything was there. Hmmm. I had to make a quick stop by my aunt’s house, I would just bring it with me and she could look at it, because clearly something wasn’t right! I visited with my aunt for awhile and had forgotten all about the ‘apparatus’ until she asked what kind of pie I was going to make. I told her apple. Homemade apple. My first one. Ever. I then explained my ‘apparatus’ dilemma. You know what she said? “That’s strange because I have grandma’s apple peeler.” Ummm no you don’t! Obviously I have it, obviously it’s missing a part or something. My aunt still seems a bit confused over the whole ordeal, so I ran out to my car to retrieve my ‘apparatus.’
To be quite honest, I was a little hesitant to bring it in. What if she tried to take it from me? What if me and my aunt were found on her living room floor on Christmas Eve wrestling over an “apparatus?” I will share it with her but she can’t have grandma’s apple peeler! I calmly walk in setting the bag on the table. So far, so good. As I slowly pull it out of the bag, coffee spews out of her mouth and she breaks in to hysteria. What? What’s wrong? What’s so funny? Why in the hell are you laughing at Annie? I looked at her in horror as she said, “That’s not an apple peeler, it’s a meat grinder.” Huh? How am I supposed to peel apples with a meat grinder? I picked up the phone and called my mom, “You gave me a meat grinder!” “What?” “No wonder this ‘apparatus’ doesn’t work, it’s a meat grinder!” Now they are both cackling, in unison. Was it that funny? Apparently so. I remind my mom, “You told me it was an apple peeler.” “No, I never said what it was, I assumed you knew!” “Oh”
Once the hysteria ended, I gathered what was left of my dignity, my grandma’s peeler that my aunt so graciously let me borrow and my ‘apparatus,’ the meat grinder. I made my way home to make my apple pie. Homemade apple pie. My first one. Ever.

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Despite some confusion, it was a success. My boys loved it and at the of the day that’s all that matters! (Not to toot my own horn, but… some one person even said it was the best they’d ever had!) As far as my mom and aunt? The laughs on them….I now have both, the meat grinder and apple peeler! Maybe I’ll move on to Tiramisu next or a good ole meat pie, after all I have the ‘apparatus.’

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Enjoy the recipe!

Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday Season!

***

It’s not like I was surprised. Disappointed, a little.
We watch, sometimes in horror their version of the “wives” for one hour each week and now that I officially succumbed to the weekly blogs as well…it might just prove to be more than I can handle. First, the 7 carrots (*giggles*) and then having to second guess my own sanity. So why take a perfectly good blog and edit it too? The top screen shot is from Simon Barney’s blog as it appeared last week. The bottom screen shot is how it has appeared since last week. Although it took a few days to get a hold of it, it confirms my sanity is still intact. So, in case you missed it “pre-edit” this is what Simon says….

After Gretchen’s conversation with Tamra on last night’s show, claiming the pictures of her and Jay were from New Years, I thought it would be a good time to revisit the truth…or try and figure out just how many New Years they have spent together. You decide.
The pictures below were all taken prior to Season 4 being filmed. The first one was 3 weeks before Gretchen was asked to be on the show. The last 3 were taken 1 week after being asked.

This photo was taken on the day Jay met Slade and Jo for the first time and Slade asked Gretchen to be on the show. This picture was taken in March 2008 . (Jo and Slade are in the back in the picture)

June 15th, 2009 Gretchen writes in her blog,
“First of all let me state this very clearly, Tamra changes her story according to how it best suites her in that moment. I have honestly never met anyone so contradictory in my life (or someone that just plan [sic] lies to your face)”

In another blog she writes,
“No one will ever be able to truly understand or I will never be able to explain in right detail the last six months of my life. The pain, the tears, the hopelessness, the regret, the sorrow, the sleepless nights, the dreams, being angry at God, or the sad void in my soul.”
Let’s talk about contradiction…

The following pictures were taken in the five months following Jeff’s death. I will never dispute the fact that Gretchen loved and cared about Jeff, these pictures however seem to contradict much of what she has written in her blog.

The dates on these pictures have been verified through their properties.

These pictures were taken during the week of  January 1-7, 2009 while on vacation at Bass Lake. This was 3 weeks before the filming of The Real Housewives of O.C. Reunion Show.

The truth…
how quickly one forgets!

Originally posted on 9/3/09
I am just amazed how many people are drawn into their own conclusions simply based on what is written. So often I come across comments that say, ‘I just read Gretchen’s blog it all makes sense now.’ or ‘If you read Gretchen’s blog, it connects all the dots and just proves Tamra and Jay are lying.’ Why do we bother with a legal system when in fact one can play judge and jury based on “facts” that have no credibility, evidence or consistency to warrant their merit?

Gretchen starts her blog stating she feels “forced to address the lies.” She apologizes in advance for being “long winded.” Putting on her writing cap and badge of honor she announces she has “been QUIET for way too long and it’s about time the truth be told…“

Now anyone who has seen the whole picture will quickly realize that there are many missing dots, so trying to connect them would only leave you with a distorted view.

Where to start, I close my eyes and point…
Story #6 -ahhh…the infamous restraining order and court date

“Tamra having to show up in court! What a flipping joke this one is. For the record I didn’t just NOT show up for my own court case. I DROPPED the case the day before it was even heard in court.”

The case was called to order, however it was not heard…as there was no complaining party present. The case was dismissed with prejudice on May 15th, 2009. The court date? That was May 15th, 2009 as well. The courts were informed 30 minutes prior to the scheduled hearing time that Rossi would not be attending.

“That was from advice of my attorney, as Jay told his own attorney he didn’t care if I got a restraining order against him, which lead me to believe all he wanted was a media circus and I was not about to allow my serious concerns to be made a mockery out of in the press.”

First of all, with all due respect, who drops a restraining order against a stalker/media whore who has threatened their life? How seriously concerned could one be? Seriously? Now to address the “media circus,” somebody had requested a media pass to video at the Forward-Rossi/Photoglou trial scheduled for May 15, 2009….hint, it was not Jay. Here and here you can see the official request and the Notice Of Ruling, which ironically was sent to both Evolution Media and Gretchen Forward-Rossi. You can also catch an interview that oh-so-media-concious Gretchen did with People TV WATCH.

“I was going to drop the case per my attorney’s advice. Jay had already violated the Temporary Restraining Order once and it became obvious a piece of paper was not going to protect me from what he was consistently doing.”

Again, who drops a restraining order against a stalker/media whore who has threatened their life and has already violated the TRO?? Here is a copy of the investigation done in regards to the Temporary Restraining Order Violation. No, there’s not more. Yes, this is it. Didn’t Slade Smiley also file for a restraining order against Jay Photoglou and had it denied…but then wasn’t he the one that also served Jay on behalf of Gretchen? Just to be sure I’m not missing a huge clue here, this basically says Slade walks into a restaurant, having seen Jay’s truck outside, he is aware that Jay is there. Instead of leaving, in fear of his and Gretchen’s safety, he tells Security “that guy” has to go. He walks away to call the Police, retrieve get paper work and Gretchen. As he and Gretchen approach the bar, 55 feet away from Photoglou, he informs Security he has called the Police and again states “that guy” has to go because they were afraid of him. Jay noted to Security he was there first, much to the lovey dovey terrified couple’s dismay they must wait for the Police. The Police arrive 15 minutes later and interviewed both parties one at a time. Jay is heard telling the Police he doesn’t want any problems. Long story short, Jay was there first if you are afraid leave!! Witnesses that night also say Smiley and Rossi had eventually moved from the bar and had planted themselves about 10 to 15 feet away from where Jay was sitting with his friends. Violated? Rumor has it, the Judge does not take kindly to those who abuse Restraining Orders.

Wow, that’s a lot of dots. And to think we didn’t even get through a whole “Story.” No worries, we’ll get there.

“Something sounds fishy to me there.”

You got that right Gretchen!

Read part 2 here

Originally posted 9/16/09
A leopard never changes its spots.
~Gretchen Rossi

As we continue to address Gretchen’s blog, please take a moment to read the 1st part of  The Truth Be Told “Story #6 if you have not done so already.

Now, where were we…

“Jay is not someone I choose to be around anymore or have in my life especially after the very sick and shallow things he has done to defame Jeff’s and my relationship.”

Exactly, what has he done to defame you? Telling lies? Stalking you? You have and continue to prove you are capable of doing that yourself, you have made a mockery out of your relationship. Season 4 is over Gretchen, yet you continue to live vicariously through your character. You live in a make believe world, complete with a make believe Prince Charming (and 2.5 million dollars.)

“I made a poor choice to be-friend someone that obviously took advantage of my friendship by stealing from me, barrowing [sic] money he never paid back, and using my name to bring his into the limelight.”

A poor choice? You think? Your poor choice however, was not “be-friending” Jay Photoglou. You made a bad choice by going on National Television portraying yourself as a victim. You made a bad choice denying you were in a relationship with Jay. You made a bad choice when you accused him of touching you inappropriately. You made a bad choice when you filed a Temporary Restraining Order against him. The only evidence you had to back any of this up came in the form of, well, conflicting tales.

Do you really believe Jay used your name simply to bring his into the limelight? Flatter yourself much? Step out of your make believe world…if only for a minute and explain the following.

Jay clearly demands, more than once that his name or any reference of him not be used in any way. Who would go in search of the type of media attention that has been created?

Again, the season is far but over, yet your actions  have left an effect on many people. You made the choice to publicly make these accusations, Mr. Photoglou has every right to defend himself publicly.

You chose money, greed and fame. You chose to put others reputations and character on the line. Put your big girl panties on and tell the truth, apologize….or let the courts decide.

Keep reaching for the stars gorgeous, but remember…the higher you get, the greater the fall. Prince Charming does not have a great track record of being there for his kids, what makes you think he’ll be there for you? Remember Gretchen, a leopard never changes its spots.

On a side note, O.K, a big observation. I find it a bit ironic that Bravo
did a Press Release yesterday…with Gretchen questioning if she coped
well with Jeff’s death…hours before “Scandals & Secrets of Reality
TV Shows” is due to be released. Check back for details!!!