Blogs
- Vicki Gunvalson
- Hard Work Pays Off
- Vicki talks about her family trip to Italy, how to survive in a struggling economy, and more!
Welcome back to week two of The Real Housewives of Orange County…"Woo hoo!" I'm in Atlanta as we speak and am hoping I'll run into one of the Atlanta girls while I'm here.
This week you saw me take my daughter Briana and my mom to Europe to celebrate Briana's graduation from nursing school. We actually went on a cruise for 7 days to Turkey, Greece and Italy and then when we were finished, we stayed in Rome for another 4 days. It was so nice to spend time with my daughter and mother touring Europe. Traveling abroad and building life memories are the fruits of my hard work. In this episode, my mom seemed a little negative or as she said "whatever" - I think she was just really ready to get home after being gone so long. On our flight to Italy, I experienced the first time my daughter using her nursing skills. They had just turned off all the lights in the cabin and people were getting ready to go to sleep when all of a sudden over the loud speaker system, a flight attendant said, "If there is a Nurse or Doctor on the plane, please ring your call button or head immediately to the back of the plane as we have an emergency health situation." By the time I could let the flight attendant know where Briana was sitting, she was already in the back of the plane assessing the gentleman who was ill. The flight attendant came to me and told me how reactive Briana was and that she handled the situation with ease. I thought what an ironic thing to experience as here were celebrating her success of graduating, and she was already able to use her knowledge 30,000 feet above the ocean. She really made me proud and it was very emotional.
I know Gretchen had commented about Lynne needing to be more strict with her daughters and I really don't want to comment either way on this. It seems Lynne has a great relationship with her girls and personally I don't think Gretchen has any right to comment on that. She is NOT a mother, nor does she know anything about raising kids. I know the teenage years can be tough and soon enough this will pass for Lynne and it will be just a memory. I think Lynne did the right thing and told Alexa that she was NOT able to drink at 16 and am glad to see her stick to that. I did agree with Gretchen that she told Alexa that at 16 years old, there is no reason she should be drinking at all. I had a "no tolerance" drinking home until my kids were legal and it seemed to really work for us.
- 01/09/2010 - 4:59am
- matt w.
hi vicki my wife and i watch the show all the time. we both agree with you on the florida trip. how annoying that all the husbands showed up. i know my wife would have been pissed. she went on an all girls trip to vegas in september. she had the time of her life just shopping and drinking and hanging out with THE GIRLS! we love your work ethic and succesfulness. what is your business exactly and what have you done to expand it and make so much money?
- 01/08/2010 - 6:14am
- Fe
Vicki,
I have never met a person that has the drive that you have. You work so hard day and night, it's nice to see you relax with friends and family. Before, we would see you in the limo still working on your way out to party. These days we don't see that anymore. I have definitely seen the changes that you have made to make your life a happier well balanced one. Everyone's relationships are different. Everyone just needs to worry on what works for them!
Just a question regarding your insurance business...do you get residual pay?
- 01/07/2010 - 6:57pm
- Adam
Hey Vicki. Usually when people travel to another country, they learn the language of the area they are traveling to. That's one way you would have been able to communicate with the waiter at the restaurant. Or draw stick figures...
- 12/26/2009 - 5:27pm
- Wendi NC
Hi Vicki...Have you ever thought of expanding your business to the east coast...NC, or maybe having a conference on the subject and how to be successful? I love your energy...working hard will pay off, you just have to get there.
- 12/04/2009 - 12:25am
- kate from Columbus oh, go bucks
Vicki...you r my favorite house wife... I love Europe! In fact I studied abroad during undergrad (2 years). It was soo much fun! I also wanted to tell you that you are a product of hard work paying off. You are not just handed everything like all the other housewives.I think that your children are also successful and they do not just walk all over you because you have displayed a good work ethic in them~ keep up the good work
- 11/27/2009 - 2:41pm
- wlundy
i think its great that you work so hard for your family and durning this time! rise above the drama you dont have to be friends with anyone you dont want to but a remander that you are who you hang with! hang with mean girls be called a mean girl!!
- 11/21/2009 - 3:21am
- Steffue
I like your work ethic and it has paid off. Keep up the good work. When my children get a little older I intend to reinvent myself and move into the next phase. I have never been afraid of some hard work and looking forward to the fruits of my labor.
- 11/20/2009 - 9:47am
- Amanda Morgan Durflinger
Hey Vicki! I just want to say that I absolutely love you on the show! You are such an inspiration to me! You are a FABULOUS mother and have raised amazing children! I am a stay at home mom right now,with 4 children, and all but 1 in school. We are very much struggling in this economy right now, and when I saw you on the DR Phil show, all I could think about is that this woman has a very strong head on her shoulders, and I too can be that woman. My youngest child will be in school next year and I will have alot more time on my hands, so with your inspiration, I am already planning on how to get my family financially stable, and be able to enjoy the "fruits of my labor"! Insurance sales sounds like a great way to start...I will surely be looking into it! Thank you so much for all that you do for the show and all the woman that you inspire. Love you bunches XOXOXO
- 11/19/2009 - 10:32pm
- Niki B
Vicki,
I love your work ethic and perserverance when it comes to your family. In fact, I relate more to you than of the other housewives. If I could offer one piece of advice, its to stop judging people. It makes you seem tacky,jealous, and insecure. I adore the Vicki that is hard working, fun, life of the party, and LOVES her family. Please show us more of that and less of the catty, gossiping, judgmental Vicki.
- 11/19/2009 - 10:29pm
- Victoria # 1
I would LOVE to be able to sell insurance like you do.
Unfortunately, I have fibromyalgia so bad, and now on
disability, that I'm not sure I could handle the load.
I was a work-a-holic before this, in a job I loved, and could always go back into, but your line of work sounds
rewarding also. Congratulations on your daughter, and
her nursing school graduation. AND her helping a passenger
on the plane. Good for her. I'm proud of her.On the Housewives, I really hate Jeana is leaving the show.
( so I hear ) That really breaks my heart. I love Jeana so much. The new wife
sounds and looks extremely arrognant. Send her to the
New Jersey girls. I believe Gretchen has been picked on
long enough. She loved Jeff, and now he is gone, so let her be, and go on with her life. ( not you picking on her, but Tamara. ) Gretchen seems to look up to
you, which might get you into trouble with Tamara.Well, the new season should be interesting. Been missing you Vicki, and enjoyed you on Dr. Phil today.
Love ya,
Vicki
More Housewives O.C. Blogs
- An Amazing Ride
- Vicki discusses the reunion drama, and reflects on five fabulous seasons as an OC Housewife.
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- Reality Check
- Alexis recounts her mom's eye-lift, the finale BBQ, and lessons she's learned about herself this season.
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- Farewell For Now
- Vicki shares what her favorite and least favorite moments from Season 5 are, and what she thinks Alexis adds to the show....
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