End Of 2012

Well that ends this year's collection of exciting books. Some of them were what I thought were fun, some were a stretch, but they were all educational in some way or another. I hope everyone got the chance to pick up these books and enjoy them the way I did. Thank you to those that posted anything referencing these books and I hope more will come. Throughout these 2012 books, some were more shocking than others, but they all held great value to each of them. Next year in 2013, there will be either more stories that speak to others and hope for a relation or just for plain enjoyment. They will all be different. But I hope everyone/someone enjoys what will be posted.


I am truly grateful and thank you again . . .


~  Jeremy

Then Again

This next book was written by a LEGENDARY screen actress who while telling her own story, she also beautifully tells the story of her own mother w/ the help of her mother's journals. This story is not just her story - but THEIRS, the one & only Diane Keaton and her mother, Dorothy Deanne Keaton.

Dorothy was a Kansas born native in 1921. Her parents drifted into CA when Dorothy was a young age. Dorothy gave up her college dreams when her father took off leaving her & her sisters to fend for themselves. Everything changed when Dorothy Keaton met Jack Hall. He had come to meet her sister, but only had eyes for her. They had eloped in Vegas at the Stardust.

Dorothy would enter contesting on the back of cereal boxes. She loved game shows. The family loved the game show 'Queen For A Day'. After Dorothy had applied for a Mrs. America pageant, Diane was 9-yrs-old at the time. It was something exciting, yet unpleasant. Diane secretly wished it was her on that stage. Six months later, Dorothy Hall was crowned again in this honor. When she was home, Dorothy was a homemaker to her husband & children. Even though some seen Dorothy as a housewife. Diane seen her mom struggling to find a medium.

Diane & Dorothy Keaton

The Keaton family was inspired into collaging after a trip to New York City and seeing the Museum Of Modern Art. Diane's brother, Randy, took it a step forward by becoming an actual collage artist. When Diane seen interaction affection w/ her parents, it filled Diane w/ awe. It gave her something to believe in w/ their love. Diane figured the only was to realize her #1 dream of becoming a musical Broadway star was to remain a daughter. Men & relationships would have to be put aside.

Diane was looking for an audience, so she auditioned for EVERYTHING POSSIBLE! For 15 years, Diane's mom was saying good-bye to EVERYTHING. Somewhere in the middle of it, Diane, at age 50, adopted a baby girl, Dexter, then a few years later, her son, Duke, came along. When Diane's mother, Dorothy Keaton, died, Diane promised to carry her mom's legacy and THINK. Dorothy continues to be Diane's biggest influence.

Dorothy had Diane when she was 24-yrs-old. At the time, Dorothy's words were influenced by the few movies her mother allowed her to see, like 1938's Broadway Melody. Dorothy believed her daughter was extraordinary. Diane had to be. Dorothy would write sweet letters to her husband, Jack, who was stationed in Boston in the Navy. She would tell about Diane and how happy they were for her and each other - expressing her love for both of them (her husband & new daughter).

There are certain things that stand out for Diane, like their next door neighbor catching Diane singing 'Over The Rainbow' and thinking she was a talented young lady. Diane loved the hustling & bustling of downtown Los Angeles. But nothing compared to Diane tugging her mom to look. Diane's father, Roy Keaton, nicknamed his daughter, Diane, "Perkins" at a very young age. They moved ALOT and always had cats. Even though Diane had 3 sisters, she also seen herself as their dad's favorite. Being the first born, Diane had their parents attention.

Diane as a teen

When Diane's sister, Robin, came along, Diane felt envy. "But I'm the only girl". She felt that Robin was sure to become their dad's favorite. Diane's sister following Robin was Dorrie, who was found to be the intellectual w/ straight A's. When Diane was 6-yrs-old, television gave her a gift. Gale Storm from 'My Little Margie' was who Diane wanted to be. 15-yrs-later, Diane was given the opportunity to meet her idol b/c her son was one of Diane's classmates. When Diane the REAL person behind Gale Storm, her next idol was Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch from the CLASSIC 'To Kill A Mockingbird'.

Even before becoming a teen, Diane couldn't understand why all of the good looks went to her sisters. When Diane was 15, to express her fashion freedom, her & her mom would go to Goodwill & thrift shops, cut up clothes and re-patch them to create The Look. Diane was browsing around at another different thrift shop and found an old man's bowlers hat. She put it on her head - and that was it!

There was ALOT of "hush hush" about the whereabouts of Diane's grandfather, Jack, her dad's dad after he disappeared in the 1920s. It wasn't until shifting through old newspapers that Diane found out what happened to her paternal grandfather. He had left his wife, Diane's grandmother, 9 yrs prior in Omaha, NE. She never heard from him and believed he was dead.

When Diane was beginning to enter adolescence, Jack told her as a father of someday a boy would love her for all of who she is. Diane didn't want a boy loving her. She thought it would be better if ALOT if people loved her other than some boy. It was during a Santa Ana High School production that Diane's finale was a showstopper. Afterwards in the dressing room, Diane's parents found her and their faces were beaming. Her dad was crying w/ excitement & surprise. For one minute, Diane was multiple characters rolled into one. She was her dad's heroine. There was no going back from that moment.

While going to New York, Diane was studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse. Diane learned how to MASTER the emotions she would need on-screen/on-stage. It was about producing real emotional reaction. It taught Diane ALOT guiding her on the tools she would need. When Diane would write back home, she shared that one of the women she roomed w/ was another young woman, already a dancer, named Sandy Duncan. Diane would ask for family updates when contacting her family back home and she would send them hers. After 2 yrs at the Playhouse, when Diane got her Actor's Equity Card, it was the end of Diane Hall. She played w/ different names, then she realized she could keep all of the family names. Keaton. Diane Keaton.

In 1968, Dorothy wrote in her journals dated New Year's Eve,  updating her children's lives. Diane was rehearsing for a Woody Allen play 'Play It Again Sam'. Afterwards Diane went w/ Woody and her parents out after the plays opening. In March 1969, it came out that Diane had been nominated for Best Supporting Actress for the Tony Awards coming in April. By this time, the book 'The Power Of Positive Thinking' by Norma Vincent Pearle was the country's craze. EVERYONE loved it. By 1969, Jack & Dorothy Hall followed that book's guidelines and GREAT things were happening. On 9-5-1969, Diane was a nervous joy and giggly on 'The Merv Griffin Show'. She was herself. Dorothy took pictures and Jack taped the whole thing. Dorothy was trying to have her photographs in museums & magazines at this point.

Diane Keaton, the massive documentary Dorothy, had done on her daughter's career from 1969-1984 was hard to grasp. The documentary, as well as Diane, had mixed reviews. After a 2-pg ad in 'The LA Times' w/ Diane and other LEGENDARY celebs w/ her, she said "stardom wasn't what she thought it would be." Diane's parents averse to discuss their daughter in the press. They felt a burden it seemed. After what Dorothy said in the press of Diane's new fame, it will forever be in the past, in the press recording the journey of a woman soon to be 'Annie Hall'.

Diane in "Hair"

Diane, as a kid, loved sweets. Dorothy rarely bought brand name. Dinner, Diane states was never brand name - always generic. Dessert was 3 oatmeal cookies apiece. Magazines were a fixation for Diane. Beginning w/ McCall's then Life Magazine. When Audrey Hepburn was on the cover of 'Life', it made Diane notice disturbing things about her body at age 11. As she got older, Diane seen clear her appearance was a work in progress. After graduating from 'Playhouse', Diane was cast in 'Hair'. Her big break came when someone else left to do an episode of a series. Diane filled in. After the first week, if she lost weight, Diane could have the role she filled in for. While getting vitamin shots and losing 10LBS, Diane got the role of Sheila in 'Good Morning Starshine'.

After overhearing a cast member talk about it, Diane tried the eat/purge. After 6 months, she became hypoglycemic with health problems. Trips to the doctor and the dentist. Diane didn't acknowledge the shame in any of this. She had work to do.

Diane and Woody Allen

Diane met Woody Allen in the fall of 1968 while auditioning for 'Play It Again Sam'.  Diane was in love w/ him before she knew him. He was Woody Allen. They became friends during the play. It was Woody's behavior that was interesting to her. Woody began to see her as more than a gal pal. Their relationship wasn't on/off, it wasn't steady either. She moved in w/ him, but also kept her own studio apartment.

Woody didn't have a clue what Diane was up to w/ her bulimia. A year after 'Play It Again Sam' ended and no work, Diane couldn't get a job except for a deodorant ad. She hit bottom. Diane's bingeing  was off the charts. She was 25. After a year of purging, jobless and talking w/ her back to a sofa, six months later Diane stopped w/ the purging. It was talking it out that did it. That gave her a way out. Why bother telling any of this MANY years later? To be released of the burden of hiding.

After conquering bulimia, Diane got back into her passion - acting. She studied w/ those who helped her rediscover the world of expressed feelings. Diane had taken a class in drawing & silk screening. She learned to print photographs. She was still longing for a mother's guidance. She found a substitute in her doctor. She wasn't the listener Dorothy was, but they hung out and that made all the difference. Diane's doctor's goal was to help her deal w/ GRANDIOSE expectations.

Diane & Al Pacino

When Diane moved to an apartment, it helped her deny any guilt over leaving her mom & being far from her. It was a renewed refreshment. In 1971, Diane was cast in a series 'The F.B.I.' and in 'Mannix' as a guest star. That was her BIG Break. Diane tells stories from behind 'The Godfather' and Al Pacino. She describes her love and relationship w/ Woody Allen. Diane states the differences between herself and her mom, Dorothy:

. Dorothy made her choice early - she married
. Diane made her choice late - she adopted
. Dorothy was laid to rest at 54
. Diane is not lonely and is still going
. Dorothy was quietly penciled in her 50s
. 11 yrs older Diane is still running around crazy like a cut-off chicken - loving life w/ her 2 kids Dexter & Duke who have changed her life.

According to Diane, filming 'Annie Hall' was effortless. They were just having a great time moving through New York's landmark locations. Diane took Woody's direction and wore what she wanted to wear during the filming which was khaki pants, vest & tie. She stole a hat to go. It finished the touch of the 'Annie Hall' look. The street-chic woman living up So-Ho in the '70s were the REAL costume designers of 'Annie Hall' + Woody Allen's part. The Hall family depicted in the film 'Annie Hall' was a love story, tender, funny & sad. Just like Diane Hall's REAL family. Woody's version of Diane's family in the film was comic relief. Even though though their relationship ended 2 years prior to 'Annie Hall', Diane was still Woody's sidekick.

Diane & Warren Beatty

Diane met w/ Warren Beatty for his movie 'Heaven Can Wait', but turned him down to do 'Looking For Mr. GoodBar'. She fell madly for him in 1972. She had loved him way back since 'Splendor In The Grass'. Two different worlds - The Prince Of Hollywood and as her dad would say Di-annie O-Hall-ie. Diane, from her point, w/ Warren, it was REAL or was she one of many women b/c of his problem w/ commitment?

In February 1978, it was news that Diane had been nominated for an Academy Award For Best Actress in Annie Hall. That same year Diane's date, Warren's sister, Shirley MacLaine, was nominated for the same award. What Diane remembers MOST about that night was meeting both Audrey Hepburn & Richard Burton. Even though she admits to fastly leaving her company that night, Diane also admits regrets for not staying and conversing w/ Audrey.

Even TODAY, many years later, Diane misses Woody Allen. He may feel different. But she'll always love him. Annie Hall changed her life. She was trying to avoid the attention post Awards and Woody's first drama w/ Maureen Stapleton fit that potion.The movie & rate weren't right. A total miscast.

Dorothy didn't finish her own memoir "Memories". It was like God's Will had taken over her future. After 10 yrs in New York, Diane was given a little show of photos she had taken in hotel lobbies around the U.S. A few years later, Diane, along w/ Marvin Heiferman, collaborated on a book of publicity shots from old movies. After her book, Still Life, was published, Diane received a letter from one of her idols & features in the book, LEGENDARY Gregory Peck, who was one of Diane's long list of regrets she wished forgiveness for.

Diane & Al Pacino

Diane goes into her year long struggle to make her documentary, 'Heaven'. Because as a little girl, even though she knew she wanted to go there. Even though critics hated it, Diane LOVED making it. She also got something else out of it: working w/ Al Pacino. It was different. They were older & NOT their previous perspective roles. Her love of Al Pacino was his creativity. He was an artist. She wanted him to want her as she did in return.

In the middle of this came 'Baby Boom'. Diane was J.C. Wyatt. Diane read a letter journaling Dorothy's life at age 63, feeling it mirrored ALOT of what Diane's feelings were as well. At 63, Dorothy was finished raising her kids, Diane is doing NOW what her mom did at 24. Diane delves into cute & funny stories from her kids, Duke & Dexter. Diane takes comfort in the fact that her & Dorothy will be bound by the need to communicate. She tells stories from behind 'The Godfather III' Around this time, Diane & Dorothy had their own personal trauma. Jack was 68 and sick w/ a brain tumor. Diane was there w/ her dad's medical care. To watch her dad in these conditions was unbearable.

It was in the afternoon when Jack dispersed six legal pads at the dining room table. The last time the Hall family would be together again. They all went through Jack's financial accomplishments. Filming the final scene to the 'The Godfather III' was easy. Diane's emotions were on edge. It was easy to sob, thinking of her dad. When she wasn't thinking of her dad, Diane was thinking of Al Pacino, whom she was somewhat back with.

Al hated good-byes, Diane states that she was not too plain, she was too much. He had no intention of marrying Diane. She did keep a few things from their relationship. Diane officially lost her dad, Jack, in 1990. When he died, it was a preparation for Al's good-byes. It was predicable, losing her dad was NOT. In a letter to him Diane wrote "she wished she had been a daddy's girl and wished they had been closer and figured out a way to love him w/ a little less effort."

HBO offered Diane the role of Hedda Nussbaum in a movie. She passed on it. No more victims for her. Diane did direct Belinda Carlisle's music video 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth'. After taking a screenwriting class, she met a producer who gave Diane a shot at directing a TV movie, 'Wildflower'. Diane cast Patricia Arquette and Reese Witherspoon. EVERYONE was moving on. Warren married Annette Benning. Diane kept moving.

When Woody (Allen) asked Diane to fill in for Mia Farrow on 'Manhattan Murder Mystery', Diane took the job. The movie was made and wrapped in one day. Personal problems didn't interfere w/ work. After directing the film 'Unstrung Heroes', Diane is more accurately aware of how many impossible it is to direct a good film. Thanks to a flight to L.A. that rattled her nerves, Diane made a life decision to re-invent the future. Considering adoption and adapting to conditions that require care, responsibility & management skills.

Diane details that her daughter, Dexter, was born Thursday, 12-14-95 and two weeks later they both flew to New York to finish filming 'The First Wives Club' w/ Bette Midler & Goldie Hawn. Going through the LOADS of outfits that previous co-stars had given Diane's daughter were Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Martin Short & his wife all so GENEROUSLY gave. Diane took Dexter to the set everyday. Diane began to worry about her mom, due to Dorothy's failing memory becoming more apparent. The on-set of Alzheimer's as told to Diane in a letter from her mom. Not a moment too soon after this news, Bette & Goldie wrapped the ending to 'The First Wives Club'. The film was an unexpected hit. Diane began to continue her mom's legacy and began writing letters to Dexter. A situation arose when Dorothy, Diane & Dexter were at Dorothy's. Dorothy fell like a clump of solid mass, landing w/ a thud. Dorothy took a dive and was in a perplexed daze. That was the day Diane learned to stop trusting Dorothy's judgment calls. All of them.  That began the stirring choices overseen by a caregiver.

In 2003, Diane had worked in what she called "a string of bombs", 'The Other Sister' and one that she directed 'Hanging Up' (both of which I personally loved.) She also states she was washed up as an actress & as a director. Over salad, Nancy Meyers had told Diane of a romantic comedy she was writing  and the details she had in mind. The romantic comedy was 'Something's Gotta Give'. Jack Nicholson sent Diane a piece of his own percentage, a kiss from him and Nancy's godsend.
                                               
Dorothy's Alzheimer's at this point was getting worse, forgetting who her own daughter was. Diane writes in, not exactly pissiness, but anger about who her mom was, who she is now b/c of what Alzheimer's is responsible for. Diane just wanted Dorothy's brain back. Diane received a call in the car about her mom having bronchitis. She headed to the hospital where Dorothy was. When Diane got there, she found Dorothy plugged into an I.V. She was also revealed to have been victim to a recent, undetected stroke. When Dorothy was released from the hospital, here comes hospice.

Diane w/ her mom, Dorothy

Dorothy did know one thing: it all boils down to family - no matter who it is! After Diane's siblings/family arrived at Dorothy's hospital bed, her breathing was irregular and had to be checked. Looking for a pattern and waiting. Diane's sister, Dorrie, began to cry. Duke came running in and Diane started to hug him. Diane began to wonder if it was the end of her mom?

After everyone ate tacos around the dinner table, they either left for a minute or took a break, leaving Dorothy & Diane alone together for the last time. After 11 days of being driven crazy, Diane put her finger in Dorothy's mouth, hoping she'd bite, just to shake things up. But Dorothy's fight back spirit was gone. Diane & Dorrie pushed her hospital bed in front of a window. Enough with darkness. Dorothy had become a still life. Taking GENUINE CARE of their mother.The only part of Dorothy that showed any life was her clutched hand on the rail of the hospital bed. On 9-18-2008. there was no sign to see it coming. The only thing was the purple in Dorothy's hands fading. She had passed away w/o so much as a sound.

Diane talks about belovedly cherished moments w/ her mom, as well as with Duke & Dexter, wishing she could rewind the clock. In a final letter to her mom, Diane updates the "Where Are They Now?" of her family. Feeling so blessed and cherished to recreate it all w/ not just her words, but Dorothy's as well - Then Again.

Mother & Daughter Dorothy & Diane Keaton (Hall)

Roseannearchy: Dispatches From The Nut Farm

This book is what would be an UPDATED biography from the now former "domestic goddess" of television to a farmer of macadamia nuts. From the original Real Housewife herself that set a precedence in Pop Culture, here is the story from the one & only herself, Roseanne Barr.

The first thing to amaze me in this book was the foreword written by Roseanne's first ex-husband, Bill Pentland. He starts w/ a mini-bio of his life w/ Roseanne to their lives as what would be seen on-screen in the series 'Roseanne'. (Roseanne's sister, Geraldine, would provide the basis for the character of Jackie and her love/hate relationship w/ Dan.) Roseanne would weave real details, stories, features, etc. from actual people she knew into stories of the "Connor family". The reason 'Roseanne' prevailed is because Roseanne Connor was Roseanne Barr.

One thing Roseanne points out is how the portrayal of her hometown of Utah was shown in the series 'Big Love'. It took her back to times when her little brother experienced homophobia and a 9 times broken nose. Much to his Mormon classmates. Roseanne's own grandmother migrated to the U.S. after being accepted to a music school. She encourage Roseanne to sing, dance, tell jokes & "perform". Her family loved it. Roseanne looked at show business as a way out of Salt Lake City.

Roseanne loved to watch Shirley Temple on TV and she idolized her. At the age of 6, Roseanne's parents moved closer to the Mormon culture and Roseanne loved it. Because there was ALOT of singing & dancing in it. Whenever Roseanne played w/ the neighborhood girls, Roseanne liked to play the part of someone in charge (Ex. - if they played school - she was the teacher, if they played hospital - she was a nurse. She was never student or patient).

At the age of 8, Roseanne began to sing ALOT to James Brown records, who began to replace Shirley Temple as her idol. Even though Roseanne thought she was a good singer & dancer, what really was her talent was being funny. Because she was the oldest daughter, Roseanne's mother put her in charge and to pick up the slack waiting for her dad to get home.

As a preteen girl, Roseanne wanted to dress as a twin to her Grandmother Bubbe Mary because she loved her clothes. Roseanne's other Grandmother Fanny was a role model for her and was the perfect antidote for the uptight, repressed, tradition bound woman she seen everywhere in Utah in the 1950s & '60s. Roseanne, at times, wished she was a boy due to never wanting to be a woman like her own mother. The type of woman who eats up what a guy says to her. She would feel bad for the man that always fall into the pretty trap in woman.

Roseanne was really upset when at age 12, her dream at stardom was happening in her face when her cousin, Debbie, a year older than her, was cast in a television commercial. It was from then on that Roseanne would undo the patriarchal system that "pretty means skinny". She was determined not to accept the status quo. She tells that 'A Tale Of Two Cities' is her favorite book w/ the first line of it her favorite part due to how moving it is and how the story was so perfectly told.

Because of her brilliance, the pinnacle of female power and sinister wisdom, the example that she is and leads is why Roseanne admires and respects CNN's Nancy Grace (As I personally do as well). In the 1970s, Roseanne's two sisters, Pearlie & Geraldine, went to live w/ their sister and her husband, Bill. They couldn't stand Salt Lake City anymore and they helped Roseanne w/ child care. Roseanne was able to get work as a cocktail waitress and a window dresser for a women's clothing store. While working as a cocktail waitress, one of Roseanne's customers, who thought she was funny, suggested that Roseanne try her and at comedy at a club that recently opened. As soon as Roseanne hears of it, she began to write a 5 minute act.

Roseanne stand-up

Roseanne signed up for open-mic night and killed. Her jokes didn't go over so well to a male audience, so Geraldine suggested for Roseanne to go w/ her to a Woman-to-Woman Book Center where Geraldine hung out. Those women loved her act. That led to more gigs. With all of the load that she carried at home and elsewhere, Roseanne was living too many lives, so she gave up the cocktail waitressing due to her additional waistline. Her weight gain made for her jokes to be funnier. After everyone else was fired from the bookstore, due to lesbian separatists running them out, Roseanne got to stay because they all loved Geraldine. Things could be fun and at times tense. The group was becoming a woman's movement. "Womanism" was what mattered most due to years of inner & outer struggle. Roseanne feels she's done her part & she's continuing to do so by voicing these truths at top volume.

Roseanne on Johnny Carson

In 1986, Roseanne stated something on 'The Tonight Show w/ Johnny Carson' that got a powerful woman in television, Marcy Carsey, interested in selling a show for her. The story was of a woman who lost her union job at a plastics factory, took a series of minimum wage jobs, opened & lost two businesses and her husband. At her lowest point, she begins to write about a woman who wins the lottery, buys the town's plastic factory and gives it to the townspeople. Sound familiar?

Roseanne then goes off on hilarious rants concerning certain subjects. From weight, to sex, to men, drugs, menopause and more. What's ALWAYS at the bottom of every rant?  A BIT OF TRUTH!! Roseanne recalls body issues at age 12, like other young ladies, gym class and showers. That certain event caused her to hate her mom, school, society & herself. Gym class made Roseanne a hater, as does everyone who has to endure it.

Roseanne talks openly & HONESTLY about the subculture on sex. It used to be a "hush hush" topic. Now it's ALWAYS the "word vomit" of conversation nowadays. The 90s were a decade that really changed Roseanne's life. She went from being a working class woman to being a multi-millionaire who played a working class woman. Roseanne gives/tells old stories about her former cast-mates from the series 'Roseanne'. She updates us in this book on cast-members. The shocker to me was reading about the death of Glenn Quinn, who played Roseanne's son-in-law, Mark Healy, who was taken by a drug overdose.

That was one thing and still to this day what I LOVED about the sitcom 'Roseanne'. While every other sitcom of the '90s had "rich people problems" or they had kids who were ungrateful for what they had having it made, Roseanne & Dan Connor raised and taught their children to be grateful. They were ones who GENUINELY worked for what they had and were GRATEFUL for it and it wasn't just handed to them on a silver platter like every other sitcom did w/ their children. Personally for me, that was one reason why I LOVED 'Roseanne', it was the one sitcom of my upbringing that I can fit in and relate to!

Roseanne and Ben Thomas

The pinnacle of Roseanne's childhood show-business dreams came at a chance for her and Geraldine to meet the ICONIC & LEGENDARY Sammy Davis, Jr. As well as other LEGENDARY GIANTS such as: Johnny Carson, Rodney Dangerfield, Phyllis Diller, Carol Burnett and so many others. When Roseanne had basically forced her third husband, Ben Thomas, to marry her on her now debunked talk show, it basically destroyed her marriage. Roseanne's youngest daughter, Jenny, was the first of her children to get married; marrying her brother's best friend from high school. Giving Roseanne four grandsons. She talks openly about the differential types of relationships in all of her children's lives, from her oldest, Jake, to her, at the time, teenage son, Buck.

Talk Show Roseanne

When Roseanne ended after 9 years, it was really tough for her. Roseanne was offered a 10TH season by ABC, but only if she took a pay cut. The next step in her career post 'Roseanne' was to interview people. The first interview she wanted and got was one w/ boxer Mike Tyson. Hanging out w/ him, Roseanne got to see the REAL Mike. Already being used to being hated in crowds, Roseanne received it again the night she showed support for Mike when he bit Holyfield's ear.

Roseanne reveals that she was there the night Tupac Shakur was shot after the fights. Roseanne tells of stories Tupac when he was a guest on her later night talk show. Because of the interview w/ Mike Tyson, Roseanne was offered her own talk show. Network execs were not happy w/ the ratings so it was replaced. It did and still does depress her at times. After that, Roseanne was cut from a David Spade film, Joe Dirt, playing his mom. The only person that Roseanne has ever met in Hollywood and would tell the truth about it was the late Heath Ledger.

The time came when Roseanne had to face her own demons; an addiction to marijuana. Thanks to the treatment for her addiction and the money from the 'Roseanne' show, Roseanne was able to blissfully retire from showbiz and more - except for her family and more! Roseanne does bring up a dark themed but TRUE point: Why is it when someone dies, those that weren't heard of for years, treated you like shit or, owed you money all of a sudden show up at a funeral for that person singing your praises? Why show up now after the fact? To me: that would be like cashing in. What's in it for you now?

At a club in Minnesota, Roseanne met someone who later created 'The Daily Show' and they introduced her to another comic, Tom Arnold. He complimented Roseanne on her act. He seemed like he was in awe of her  and his flattery was on-going. Roseanne loved it. She never had so much positive attention from a man. They began talking and found each other funny. Roseanne didn't find out until later about Tom's cocaine addiction. He was the first guy friend she had that evolved into a best friend. Roseanne listened to Tom confess about his exes and his cheating and them paying for everything. After awhile, Tom was with Roseanne. She thought she could save him from his troubles.

Roseanne bought jokes from Tom. Later on Roseanne, she encouraged him to move to Los Angeles and write on the sitcom. Roseanne's ENTIRE family did NOT want her to divorce first husband, Bill Pentland to marry Tom. They didn't like Tom AT ALL, so she stopped talking to her family. When Tom arranged for Roseanne to sing in front of people who loved her at a Padres game in San Diego. Roseanne thought it would be the best day of her life. She practiced and knew the words. Roseanne recounts what she had to live that day. Roseanne's kids were shaking and traumatized as they flew back home to LA. After the GIANT backlash, Roseanne wanted to apologize right away but was told it would ruin her credibility as a comic. During that time of INSANITY, Roseanne and her kids were guarded by armed policemen, whom she is, still to this day, thankful to!

During a press interview that Tom did to explain her remorse for the way she sang the National Anthem, Tom said he would handle everything. Tom said something during the interview that made Roseanne assess the whole basis of their relationship that made it a lie. The interview worked: for Tom. They relocated to where Tom grew up in Iowa. When they were away, it was the best & worst of times. When Roseanne went back to work, there was no change in ratings of the series.

Shortly after the National Anthem scandal, Roseanne started to feel as though she was waking up from a bad nightmare. after the fallout from the Anthem, Roseanne sought to pick up the pieces by writing jokes for the sitcom. Aside from comedy, Roseanne saw her comedy career & sitcom Fighting On Behalf Of Working Class Mothers.

When Roseanne tried repeated attempts to contact her own family about things happening in her childhood, her family became somewhat bitter that Roseanne was unhappy and angry. After a year of letter writing about these things and no response from her family, Roseanne went to 'People' Magazine accusing her father of incest and other abuse which they denied. Roseanne has tried to make amends w/ her family. She realized she made a poor & terribly conceived decision that caused ALOT of pain and shame for her family. After the Anthem incident, Roseanne became Tom's pet project. They then had a Jewish wedding. In the last part of their marriage, as throwing a bone to them, someone offered Tom to read for a new movie, True Lies w/ Jamie Lee Curtis. Due to Tom's constant jokes, Roseanne had low self-esteem. Thanks to that, Roseanne had gotten major surgery to undo a tribal ligation, following that with every major surgery of every kind. During True Lies, after Tom Arnold discussed plans for Governor, Roseanne planned for a divorce from Tom. Roseanne had reached a point in the marriage; she was a prop in someone else's marriage - a codependency.

Roseanne told Tom after evidence supported Tom's cheating on her. When Roseanne went to Tom's office, she WENT OFF IN A FIT w/ assistants trembling. Security and police escorted Roseanne off the studio and forced her to contain herself. When Roseanne got to the lot of the show, she enlisted help to remove Tom's things. Shockingly it was Roseanne who was escorted off the lot where she made her show.

To unleash her demons, Roseanne went on a trip to Paris. While in Paris, reclaiming her anonymity and more, Roseanne fell in love w/ her big, blonde, Finnish bodyguard, Ben Thomas, who had helped Roseanne w/ her ruse and escape. She asked him if he would be the father of baby #5. He said yes. Ben accompanied Roseanne around from Europe to the Mediterranean and around the world. Ben & Roseanne danced and partied their way through her divorce and soul revival. In Florence was where she dropped another bomb on Tom Arnold by pay phone telling him she's filing for divorce.

This time in Roseanne's life was kind of ironic. Around this time was the O.J. Simpson double murder trial, the same rabbi that married Tom & Roseanne, converted Tom to Jewish, bar mitzvahed Roseanne's son, married Tom to his new wife and Roseanne married  and got pregnant by the guy Tom hired to drive Roseanne around and protect her, Ben Thomas.

Roseanne & Buck  (15-yrs-old)

Roseanne's getting pregnant for Buck by in vetro wasn't easy. She was 43 and sterile. She was pregnant after the first try. This was during a Thanksgiving break from filming 'Roseanne'. At the most crucial fourth week of pregnancy, Ben, w/ a broken leg in a cast, was bedridden next to his wife. Once she was pregnant w/ Buck, Roseanne was ordered to avoid stress. She was carefully driven to the set of the show and she delivered her lines in a chair or on the couch. That was all now worth it for who, at the time of this book, is now a 15-yr-old boy named Buck.

Roseanne & Tony Bennett

Roseanne states she was good at life when it was a story told through fictional characters that she could make do and say what she wanted. Her real life was scary w/ no control over it. Coming from a strange situation, Roseanne was able to learn to relax and more all thanks to deep meditation. When Roseanne got to sing w/ Gladys Knight on her talk show, she decided later on to sing again. Taking criticism for singing again after practicing, Roseanne did get ALOT better. She got to sing w/ Tony Bennett for 4 presidents. She practically sings everyday now. Singing for the joy of it.

Roseanne stated that the best part, looking back, was the leg of the journey before fame & fortune. It was breaking out that was the best. Roseanne states one thing she TRULY believes about women. "Why aren't women more angry?" Their worlds are going to shit. Most people are unaware of realizing what's really going on? Those who may be drugged on pills are silenced. If you get pissed off more and let it out, those pills or what ever it may be won't be needed.

Since this book's publication, Roseanne did return to TV for a short while in her now-cancelled reality series that was seen on Lifetime called 'Roseanne's Nuts'. The show featured Roseanne, her boyfriend Johnny Argent and, her eldest son, Jake Pentland as they lived on Roseanne's macadamia nut farm..

A Place Of Yes

This next book was written by someone who branded herself a name on her terms. We all know her from being one of 'The Real Housewives Of NY' and the author of such books as 'Naturally Thin' and the original creator of the 'SkinnyGirl' margarita. From her own words, as if she is LITERALLY on the page, here is the story and steps used of how to make your life fit for you. From the new talk show host herself, here is the story of the one & only classic, Bethenny Frankel.

The first thing Bethenny explains about A Place Of Yes is that it's a way to get through things when you feel it's impossible. You stop being a being a victim and start being the ruler of your own destiny. That is the point and purpose of coming from a place of yes. When you mentally feel it can't be done, you find your place of yes.

The first step towards a place of yes is to let go of the noise. The noise is what you hear from what others think and break the chain, which is what you carry w/ you from your childhood which stunts you.

To being, Bethenny's childhood consisted at times colorful, exciting and sometimes dangerous. But most of the time it was lonely, frustrating & sad. Everyone has their own definition of "normal". For her it was calling the police on her mom and stepfather to stop fighting. It was attending multiple schools due to her parents not remaining grounded. For Bethenny it was partying in clubs and crashing cars at 14 - prior to a driver's license. Bethenny describes her mother as a "wild card". One minute she was a best friend, the next minute she was out of control. She became a mother before she became an adult.

Bethenny Frankel was born in 1970 on her mothers 20TH birthday in Queens, NY. Bethenny's mom was smart, sassy, talented, sarcastic, ballsy, opinionated & a fighter. (Sound familiar - because many of the attributes Bethenny takes after come from her). One thing Bethenny feared to become was her own mother. With her own relationships and multiple marriages, it was something that has haunted Bethenny. The most important thing her mom gave her was an image w/ a star above her daughter's hair. The other part was that Bethenny's mother also showed her daughter is forgetting about her when times were tough, going out to parties, going to war w/ whatever man supports you.

Something I/Jeremy can agree with is a parent that a parent still doesn't see things for what happened. Bethenny's maternal grandfather, her father & stepfather were all horse trainers. With her mom, Bethenny was never sure which side she was going to get. Bethenny's mom would choose men she needed to save her, but also abuse her. Enforcing her daughter "NEVER be dependent on a man". Despite the volatility, Bethenny's mom was just a tortured soul who couldn't get her life the way she wanted. Many of Bethenny's happy childhood memories were about food.

Bethenny at times felt sabotaged by her mom due to being obsessed with being thin. She wanted to be like her mom. Being an only child now is the reason why Bethenny has been more comfortable being by herself. Her mom could be the life of the party, but also volitle. One thing Bethenny states is: Children are smart no matter what adults try to hide. Bethenny, thanks to her mom's influence, began a small stint with wanting to be thin, but has later learned to be more healthier. Breaking The Chain. With her mom and step dad  almost every meal consisted of a restaurant. Thanks to her mom, it could be just as humiliating. Her mom was one dubbed today as a "cool/party" mom. For Bethenny there was NO structure, discipline or guidance. BREAK THE CHAIN, YOU ARE NOT YOUR PARENT. YOU ARE YOUR OWN PARENT!

When it came to her dad, who was a Hall Of Fame horse trainer, all Bethenny seen was a man who saw more care to his horses & dogs than her did people. Bethenny's father, Robert Frankel, was a character who surrounded himself w/ other characters. He had a sleazy streak and because of that it became something Bethenny notices in men. After her parents divorce, Bethenny stated she felt like the rope in a tug-of-war.
Bethenny's mom couldn't really support her daughter. As a successful horse trainer, her dad had those means. Her refused to pay for Bethenny unless she lived w/ him. So she left her mom and lived with her dad in CA.

Even though Bethenny was w/ her dad, she was still in the care of torturous babysitters. She would call her mom so many times crying, wanting her mommy, begging for her to come and get her. When her mom yanked Bethenny away from her dad, it changed the course of her life and Bethenny didn't hear from her dad for years. Bethenny also states why she thinks her money noise comes from her mom. From that specific incident specified, Bethenny states that her dad shut her down on that day and it was never the same. Because of the hard damage her mom did in the relationship w/ her dad, Bethenny states that may have been what permanently damaged their relationship. If they would've ever had had a chance for a relationship  her dad giving up on Bethenny irreversibly changed it.

Remember this: A throwaway comment or spur-of-the-moment decision made in anger or thoughtlessness could still have an impact many years later. In the end, Bethenny really didn't know her dad except from her mom's negativity. She felt a struggle between the time w/ dad and her relationship w/ her stepfather. For Bethenny she felt that her dad wanting the Triple Crown was more important than his daughter. Bethenny initially realized that her own success and independence liberated her from her dad. Bethenny put in the work, did it and made it w/o him. Coming from a place of yes, Bethenny can see from her own dad, the kind of parent she wanted for her own daughter - the exact opposite of what she got.

When Bethenny's father died, he died without ever being sorry. Bethenny did forgive him so she could move on, but he died w/ Bethenny knowing if he loved her AT ALL! Bethenny did go through a range of emotion the day he died. He spent his life alone. Sometimes you are left w/ the aftermath, but it doesn't have to define you.  Bethenny did manage w/ her dad's death to break the chain.

John, Bethenny's stepfather, was a gambler. Bethenny lived an unbalanced life. One minute it's limos, the next they'd be broke. That experience taught Bethenny how to survive and go w/ whatever's happening. Bethenny was really grateful to have John around. He was there for her more than her real parents. Of them all, John was the one who came from a place of yes. When her mother would be gone, it was John who was there for Bethenny.

When Bethenny was 13, she was learning how to gamble at Ceaser's Palace. It was a high-rollers lifestyle. After the horse races, Bethenny would be w/ jockeys afterward and just love the atmosphere. Bethenny discovered that she had a special talent for cooking and entertaining. She could pull it together and make thing happen.

After John had left after Bethenny's mom betrayed him, Bethenny tried to contact her own dad, Robert, and take his name again. When she did that, he wanted nothing to do w/ her because he had cancer, that was why he couldn't be a father. Bethenny would keep trying every few years, but was always cool & dismissive. Bethenny always wanted her parents love, but there was always a price for it. Even though Bethenny lost both of her fathers, walking away feeling like she didn't have one at all.

When Bethenny had her daughter, Bryn, she seen life in a different lens. She seen her parents differently. How they were hurt, why they screwed up, where they came from and how their noise got in their way. So she became softened and less angry. Here is a message to reflect on: Instead of letting the negative parts of your childhood drag you down, spit you out and become a carbon copy of your parents, let them transform you and become who you want to be. BREAK THE CHAIN! 

Relationships get you to a new place and can see help you see what you don't want as well as what you really do want.  (For ex. - when you are w/ someone, no matter the relation, and all they want is to get something from you - then your next contact help you to weed that part out to not have to go through this again - as something to watch out for.)

When/If your are in a relationship, examine your relationship noise. BE AWARE! Relationship noise can make you want things that aren't right for you. It can exploit your vulnerability and take advantage of your insecurity. Coming from a place of yes means you can take your past, turn it around and make it work for you to know what you're looking for.

Bethenny and  her dog, Cookie

The experience that Bethenny shared from being married to her first husband, Peter, showed her that being married at 26, fearing to be too old unless she married, made Bethenny fearful that she would never have the chance. Bethenny married Peter but felt it was from her place of truth. Coming from a place of yes, Bethenny KNEW it just wasn't right. LISTEN TO YOUR GUT! At some point in your relationship are you going to choose it to be torture to work at or make it an easy one?

Throughout boyfriends, Bethenny kept looking for someone to take care of her. It was like she wanted a boyfriend. She thought she needed one. After a relationship that didn't really work out, the best thing Bethenny found was her dog, Cookie. When Bethenny regrouped herself after that relationship, she enrolled in culinary school. Ultimately it led her to a new career and a new life.

Bethenny did go back to one relationship she thought was comfortable and familiar thinking things would change. One thing was for sure: A reality check was imminent. After turning down several of his proposals, Bethenny finally accepted. It was the beginning of the end.  He never really believed that Bethenny would say yes. She was hurt because he didn't really want her. It was a shell-shock for both. Six days later, he came back and proposed again. Suddenly everything was underway. Then Bethenny's panic button went off. This time it was about Bethenny and her emotional baggage. She felt she still had something to prove.

You need to realize that IT'S OKAY to end the relationship you feel isn't right. The relationship ends/ended for a reason. When a breakup happens/relationship ends, what better time to get reacquainted w/ who you are. Focus on yourself. (Unless you are someone that overly loves themselves). You'll find out who you TRULY are and what you're TRULY looking for. What Bethenny found was that if she could make her own money, no dependency on others then maybe she could get past her money noise and not become her mother.

One thing about relationships, TALK ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL PARTS & what you bring to the table. If not, don't talk about it and let the relationship end. It will anyway if you DON'T TALK ABOUT IT! Never mind how it makes you look, at least you've said your peace.

It was about this time Bethenny was learning the ropes and trying to market herself  as a personal chef to celebrities. Bethenny's photographer boyfriend at the time was trying to help her get her face out there. Even though she was dating this guy, their lives were in DIFFERENT directions. You have to be able to fit together! Coming from a place of yes, Bethenny felt she seen herself doing more than settling down. She was on the verge of doing something bigger and needed a partner to go there with her. To her, it was him wanting her to settle. So, Bethenny ended it with Jason #1.

Jason, Bethenny's husband, proved to her that sometimes what seems like too late is right on time because you are only just ready. Bethenny recounts the time in which she met her husband and the way they got together. When she could admit that they did love each other, Bethenny said yes to herself, opening the door for her to say yes to him. The timing was right in every way. Jason won Bethenny over just by being who he is. Jason gives Bethenny what she's wanted ALL ALONG: Emotional Support. Don't worry about finding a boyfriend/partner, but someone you can be your TRUTHFUL SELF.

When Bethenny first moved to LA, she attended bartending school. When you being taking the first steps, you don't realize where it could turn out later. Sometimes you can work and achieve success later in life. Ever since Bethenny was young, she knew that being a performer was something she was destined for. Bethenny didn't really know much. When she was at N.Y.U., Bethenny did take some theater classes. But she kept waiting for something to happen. Finally something did.

Bethenny and Saved By The Bell

Bethenny was 19 and late for a flight. When she almost missed her seat, as luck would have it, she sat next to a producer of 'Saved By The Bell'. After chatting, he thought that Bethenny had potential and he thought a position was open for a production assistant. Even though it was only an opportunity, she acted on it. It was a temporary job as an errand girl pretty much. Bethenny loved any minute of it. She soaked up every minute she could. Bethenny was 19 w/ ALOT to learn. When Bethenny auditioned for the spin-off show 'California Dreams' after talking a producer into an audition for her, she completely choked.  At least she tried and acted on it. As soon as Bethenny graduated from NYU, she moved straight to Los Angeles.

When a casting director for the LEGENDARY (late) Aaron Spelling told Bethenny she needed to lose weight due to not being skinny enough, it fed straight into her obsession w/ dieting. It ended up changing Bethenny's career path from acting to eating NO FAT. (Talk about Food Noise). She tried EVERY diet and meal plan known. Bethenny did a small stint on the soap opera 'Santa Barbra', in which she received her SAG card. Here is a GREAT motto: Don't complain, don't explain. During this time, Bethenny took other jobs that were more rewarding and interesting than acting.

Bethenny worked at the La Scala in Beverly Hills as a hostess. Working there gave Bethenny connections including personal assistants for some. After a few years, acting wasn't what she envisioned and she enjoyed these other jobs more than acting. It just wasn't the right career for her. The problem was that she just couldn't get to that place and make the character her own. She only knew how to be Bethenny Frankel.

Bethenny was beginning to feel that acting wasn't for her. She could be great at something else. The acting thing, fearing that she'll never become successful; Bethenny wasn't coming from a place of yes. So she quit acting and married her boyfriend, Peter, got a real job in event planning. Sometimes you just have to be realistic and honest w/ yourself. Act on it to where you look at it w/ should-a, could-a & would-a's.

When you are working on your passion and acting on it, one part of it is that, but the other part is to make it yours.  Let your job performance be your resume. Let the quality shine through more than it's title. Making everything your business means treating everything you do as if it were essential part of your business. It also has a bad side to this: Knowing when enough  is enough to take on. While some are working, slaving away without gratitude/appreciation, you begin to act like the job was forced on you. When you come from a place of yes and take pride in your work as well as remembering where you came from, you try harder and appreciate success when it comes. The point of this next story is precisely what Bethenny describes in her book by saying: Everything's Your Business. You give it your all with a place of yes attitude.Something I can PERSONALLY relate to! When I/Jeremy Carroll was 15-yrs-old I was put on hemodialysis at an adult unit (long story), I would arrive hours before my treatment time which was to begin at 10:30A. I would arrive at 9:00 or earlier. I would be so bored that I would just go around and ask for something to do. I would run around and volunteer. I would run errands, get coffee, anything they wanted me to do (within reason). I would continuously do that every treatment. Pretty soon after, staff members would just give me something to do. It just grew from there. After awhile everyone knew me and that was what I became known for at the hospital in which I receive treatment. Even today, some still ask me to do certain things b/c that is, besides being a patient, what people know/knew me for. I went completely outside the box by making myself stand out as a volunteer. I was NOT a "normal" volunteer. So when you are at your job, don't look at it as just that, make EVERYTHING YOUR BUSINESS! 

The purpose of the Skinnygirl brand became Bethenny's purpose in her career. The Skinnygirl is the girl you all want to be, whether the size is 2 or 12. The girl that loves herself and her life.The Skinnygirl name originated from her first book, 'Naturally Thin'. A margarita, something perfect for the health conscious that still wants to have fun. Bethenny nailed down a formula & gave it that name. She bottled it and the brand was born.

Don't think she didn't work hard to get this created. Bethenny REALLY HAD TO POUND THE PAVEMENT! LITERALLY had to start from ground-level. When people began to see her concept, many of them offered to buy her out. Other products from Bethenny were all formed just by doing them in your specified time and your specified place. KNOW WHAT YOU STAND FOR AND MAKE IT MATTER.

Bethenny thought she would be good at event production. She convinced a company for an interview. Based on what little experience she had, they hired her. Her first event was for a movie premiere party for Disney. Considering she really didn't know what she was doing, she had to go from conception-to-completion. Bethenny had NEVER done ANY of this BEFORE, but she pulled it off! Bethenny took a gamble, won & found her calling.

Bethenny found a comfort zone and really picked up speed. After awhile she wanted to move on and start her own company, In Any Event. Eventually things ended w/ the company due to financial aspects in the back. LIVE & LEARN. There were some jobs that Bethenny had taken that didn't end well. There was no room to grow or learn. The point is to LOVE what you do. You have to build on what works in a rational way. Make it your business and NEVER gamble w/ more than you're willing to lose.

Bethenny, at the time, was in a bad place. She needed to be doing something and didn't know what. So, she enrolled in a chef's training program. It offered a program that combines health & food. So, Bethenny decided to give it a try. She soon gave it her all.  She made it her business. Bethenny was in her element.  She emerged as a leader and was soon finding herself. She would drive her teachers crazy. She was a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants chef. She had to learn to be precise.

Bethenny graduated w/ flying colors. After that, she got a job managing a small chain of vegan restaurants. She cultivated a small celebrity clientele that loved her food. When the restaurant was closing, Bethenny came from a place of yes and started her own business. She worked her recipes and was soon on to something. Everyone loved her cookies. Everyone would say 'Bethenny Bakes'. After finding a space, Bethenny was baking 400 cookies a day and hanging on by her fingernails.

With Bethenny's luck in cars, it may have appeared to be shitty, but at least she wasn't hung up on it and showed pride in what she could use. (At least she was grateful to have a car.) The cookies started out great but were later shitty thanks to the humidity in a hot car. It was hell. Bethenny would keep putting money out w/ none coming in. Even w/ her pride, the cookies began to crumble. 'Bethenny Bakes' in the end was an epic failure and a great learning experience.

When Bethenny began taking her cookies to a big, national foods trade show. That same week, Bethenny heard about deadlines for an application for a new show called 'The Apprentice'. It was thanks to her experience at 'Bethenny Bakes' that allowed her to show her entrepreneurial skills. Taking her career to the next level. After the failure of  'Bethenny Bakes' she felt she was going nowhere. When Bethenny was out w/ friends, she had heard about the new show, 'The Apprentice'. The show seemed to stand for everything Bethenny loved about business. After her meeting w/ the producers and then about a month later, Bethenny got the call. The producers liked her and wanted more.

After the testing to be considered, Bethenny was chosen to be a first alternate. When she was given her exit, Bethenny thought it would still lead somewhere. MONTHS later, she received a call about doing a Martha Stewart version of this show. They wanted Bethenny to try out for it. Bethenny thought it was fit for her. (When one door closes, another one opens) Bethenny was ready to jump at this opportunity. She knew she could do this. Bethenny was NOTHING BUT her no-nonsense self. She went for it with everything she had. She learned that through this experience on the show to know what you can and can't do, know what you need to maintain your endurance.

Even though Bethenny did not win Martha Stewart's Apprentice and was runner-up, she was a bit relieved. Her real pay-off from the show was the experience from reality TV she gained. Bethenny stated that in the end, even though she got to know the REAL Martha, she learned what kind of businesswoman she wanted to be. Not an heir to someone's empire, but a businesswoman on her terms and on her own making.

Bethenny goes into something I personally live by and ALWAYS have: Separate From The Pack. (Considering my life and my experiences this was something that just came NATURALLY and I HAVE ALWAYS LIVED BY my entire lifetime.) About a year after Martha Stewart's Apprentice, Bethenny was dating a celebrity photographer. She seen that as an opportunity to brush elbows w/ celebrities and others. She used that to rescue 'Bethenny Bakes' and to get other jobs. She did her best to get out in the public and get her name out there. Little-by-little over a few years, Bethenny raised her profile and got a publicist. She got small hits here and there.

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In 2007, Bethenny went to the Hamptons and her life changed forever. It was hot. Bethenny had a headache. Through her boyfriend, Jason #1, Bethenny met Jill Zarin. Jill told Bethenny of her being on a new Bravo show, Manhattan Moms. Bobby brought a producer over to met Bethenny. After conflicting her options, when Bethenny made the decision to say 'Yes' it was the best decision she ever made. A cast mate on the show called it 'The Real Housewives Of  NYC'. Bethenny would use the show for an opportunity. When she first began filming, Bethenny only had $8,000 to her name. She couldn't pay rent. She shopped on E-Bay. This whole thing in which she was embarking on  .      .      .  it just wasn't her life.

Because of the conscious way not to get sucked into becoming a "Housewife" and maintaining her integrity by not adapting their lifestyles, Bethenny was free to be just herself. Because she was everything that the Housewives weren't, Bethenny was the one that was the most relatable. She would get a flood of communication from others saying they could relate to her by what they seen on the show. During season 2, Bethenny really was treating the show as a business w/ Bravo and forging a strong relationship w/ the network. (I help you, you help me) They did by giving her her own show.

Doing season 3 gave Bethenny doubts due to the insane roller coaster. Even though she agreed to stay, Bethenny felt a tinge of regret. Even w/ 2 books out, beginning to film her own show and a thriving career, Bethenny felt her castmates were turning on her. It began to have a weird atmosphere. Housewives was a great run. Bethenny is GRATEFUL to Bravo for the experience. It was just time to move on! In any situation, no matter what it is, the best way to move on is to own it. If you've done wrong, it's okay -as long as you just own it! You can move on after that. Bethenny did have an opportunity to see herself coming from her own show, Bethenny Getting Married? Her show was one that regular people experienced  everyday. It was REAL!

Being who you are, figuring out how and making it work and owning it is what Bethenny Getting Married? was all about. The show is her life and the people who are in it: Jason, Bryn, her assistant Julie & Cookie, her dog. When it came to marrying Jason, Bethenny had ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT about it. Jason Hoppy is the man she wanted to be with. Bethenny was so grateful and sentimental.  When it came to birth and motherhood, BOTH Bethenny and Jason DIDN'T KNOW A THING about what was in store.

Having her daughter, Bryn, life wasn't the same. It was a whole new universe. They are raising a daughter. Bethenny is in a calmer, happier place and very much moving forward. Coming together and owning it! Bethenny brings up an entire new point: Coming Together. That means attempting, learning & getting better at understanding others, rather than criticizing them. Everyone has their own normal as w/ every family does too! THAT"S THE TRUTH!! You have to find your own normal because there is no objective kind. When you come together, of course they'll be conflict, but choose, accept, adapt. That's coming together.

Look at it another way (this is something I see personally from seeing one "relationship" all the time) If you don't deal w/ your differences  in the beginning, the cracks in the foundation of your relationship will crack until you have crumbles. When it comes to Bryn, it's not just mother and daughter with a few specks of Jason here & there. It's a team. A family doing it all together. It's their place of yes. Bethenny feels that she has come full circle. From the child of an absent father to the husband of a wife who is present every day. From the daughter of a troubled mother to the mother of a beautiful daughter. As a mother, Bethenny feels free to remarkably be herself. (Love Can Build A Bridge)

Katherine Hepburn

The last piece of advice from Bethenny is simply: Celebrate! Celebrate your milestones and achievements. Be happy and celebrate. It's impossible to do without gratitude and perspective. Make happiness part of your business. Katherine Hepburn said it best: "If you obey the rules, you miss all the fun." That quote is something I can personally attest to! "Make the most of every moment and have fun with it."

Since this book's publication, Bethenny, along with being an author, chef, reality star, wife & mother, she can add another title onto her resume: talk show host. As of this year, 2012, Bethenny has currently been working on her new daytime talk show, 'Bethenny', that premiered in the fall.