SEASON 3

No Fakers

Melissa explains her relationship with Teresa.
May 16, 2011

Hi, everyone!

I’m so happy that I have received this amazing opportunity to share my life with you — the good, the bad, and the ugly. You’re really getting a true insight into my life, and for those of you who decide to stand by me through this, thank you in advance.

First off I never realized how animated I am when I speak, especially when I’m making a point and speaking the truth. It certainly doesn’t make for boring TV!

Anyway, my life is pretty crazy right now. I’ve had so many incredible opportunities come my way and met wonderful people. I am so grateful! However, this first episode has left me with many sleepless nights and lots of tears.

My heart is broken for my son after the events of his christening. It was extremely hard for me to watch, and I wanted to quit the show as soon as I saw it. I will do reality TV as long as it makes me happy and I am enjoying it. The second it puts a strain on my marriage or my children, ciao. Period!

One thing you will learn about me is that when I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong. When I have a headache, I say I have a headache. When I’m having a bad day or going through a difficult time, I will not deny it. That’s just me.

I speak the truth, and that’s why I don’t stutter or look like I’m thinking when I talk. I am real.

Some of you may be very confused right now. You may be thinking, “Teresa has a brother?” Before all the press, you probably didn’t know we existed, did you? Well here we are! I know the episode is a bit confusing at first. You’re probably wondering why Joe acted the way he did when his sister came up to him. It’s understandable so let me explain.

Teresa has kept my husband, Joe, and his family (me and my three children) away from everything she has been going through and everything that has been so exciting in her life for the last three years. Although this all started before the show even existed. You will get a lot of the back-story as the season goes on, so I’m not going to go too far back. I would be writing for days!

She has never been happy for her brother or cared about anything good going on in his life or his children’s. She only wants to discuss her life and only cares about herself. She kept us as far away during Season 1 and Season 2, because I think she knew this would happen when they found us. Karma is a bitch.

Family comes first for me, but unfortunately it does not for her, and it never will. It’s just not who she is, and that’s OK, but don’t think we are going to go on national TV and be fake with you. We are not fakers, sorry.

I think it is extremely obvious when she comes to the table giving us a kiss and saying congratulations for the second time that it was not the norm. You can read it all over all three of our faces.

We really were not speaking to Teresa at the time of the christening, but of course I invited her to come, because we always invite each other to all of the children’s parties. I am always invited to her kids’ parties as well, and I will never miss one.

We also had many bad conversations on the phone prior to the christening day, but it was my son’s christening, so of course I will kiss them hello and expect that they will do what they normally do at all the kids’ parties — not speak. We never do, never!

On top of that, Joe obviously didn’t want to be there. He never wants to come to anything. With that in mind, seeing him hold Joey, whom he barely knows, and dance with him in front of the people for more than fifteen minutes was just bizarre to me.

They are both very transparent, and I saw right through it. It was for show, it was for the people, and I still didn’t grab my son from them. I said nothing. I allowed them to do it. It was a christening, and I didn’t want to stir the pot.

What you might not know is that the whole christening day was really beautiful. My daughter Antonia performed a special ballroom dance for her baby brother that she practiced for months. It was the sweetest thing ever. We had a Michael Jackson impersonator there that was incredible. We danced all night, the music was fantastic, and it was such a great time.

Let’s discuss the hairdresser, Evelyn. She has been my hairdresser for four years now. She used to do Teresa’s hair as well. As far as I knew, Evelyn was no longer doing Teresa’s hair. Teresa by the way was not the one who referred me to Evelyn. That would never happen. My friend referred her to me. Evelyn never told me that Teresa called and that she went to do her hair. I found out when I watched the first episode. I was not trying to make her late. I had no idea Evelyn was going there afterward. Evelyn still does my hair three times a week. I guess Evelyn didn’t want to upset me on my son’s christening day and tell me Teresa starting calling her again.

Teresa says in her interview that all she wanted was her brother to grab her and dance. What? Is she kidding me? I can’t take it. She has had so many parties and never once grabbed her brother to dance, never once. They never dance together. Teresa is trying to put this image in everyone’s head, but it’s just simply not true.

The tears? Why now? Why do you want to suddenly dance with your brother, when you have left him out of your life for years? You be the judge.

When Teresa says she was her brother’s best friend before he got married, I believe that was true. She probably was. She was the only girl around, and there was no one else to share the spotlight with.

Teresa likes to be the center of attention. Be beneath her or get the hell out of her way. Well she has met her match!

With that said, I wanted nothing more than to have her as my third big sister. I tried really hard in the beginning with her, but she was impossible. She was always insulting me or putting me down. And when I would get upset she would say, “God, you’re so sensitive.” No, I just want to be respected, that’s all. You will see this play out as the season goes on.

Again, I will say that I wanted nothing more than for her to be a big sister to me. Wishful thinking?

When you see my sister Lysa react at the christening, she is just protecting her baby sister. She knows how Teresa has made Joe and I cry for years. She is very protective of us and has had it with her. My sisters and Joe have an amazing relationship. He feels they act more like sisters to him than his own does.

When Teresa called my sister Lysa for advice because we didn’t want to talk to her anymore, I warned my sister not to talk to her. I knew this would happen, and I knew she would twist my sister’s words around. She does it all the time.

My sister is my best friend; anyone who knows me knows that. Teresa knows that, and she hates it. She hates how close I am with my sisters, and I think she is envious of it. But we never kept her out; my sister always answered all her calls and tried to help her. Teresa loves Lysa, she always has, and believe me she still does. You can’t not love Lysa, everyone does. If she agreed to some of the things Teresa was saying, it was to make her feel like she wasn’t just on my side. She genuinely wanted us all to make up. My family is that way, you will see, the more the merrier!

But Teresa just doesn’t know how to fit into a big crowd; she’s not a team player.

My sisters have always welcomed her with open arms, and sometimes they were too nice to her, if you ask me! What I hope Teresa remembers is that she has four girls, and I know she would want them to stand by each other’s side like soldiers the way me and my sisters do.

You will never break my sisters and me never, so her trying to call my sister out like that was just desperate.

My husband, my off the charts husband. As I think about the scene, the tears are falling from my eyes onto my fingers and my computer right now. Can’t this family see how hurt this man is? This amazing man, who built everything with his own two hands the honest way since he was nine years old. Yes, nine! He is not looking for anyone to praise him that is not what he wants. I really can’t get to deep into it, because it’s all coming up this season, and as it plays out I will discuss it in my blogs.

I will say that he is honest, he is real, and there is no way in hell you won’t fall in love with him. It’s impossible! When he is speaking Italian to his father, you can see the little boy coming out and looking for his daddy. It’s heart wrenching. You will see that Joe is a man’s man, so for him to act that way there must have been a really good reason. There were still a lot of fresh wounds from all the fights we were going through before the christening, so when this happened, it just all came out.

It’s real, no one in their right mind would do that for cameras. He wishes he could erase it, but it’s there for you all to see.

I will say that the fight did happen the last half hour of the night, and yes, he was drinking. We were celebrating our son, it’s very normal for us to have a good time and let loose at a party. But he knew exactly what he was doing, and he was not completely hammered. He just drank a lot by that time of the night.

Did you see Joe with his niece, Gia? He is the best uncle in the world. You can see how much Gia loves him written all over her face. He was always a good uncle, and he always treated his sister’s children like little princesses. I think he expected the same when his daughter was born, but unfortunately he didn’t get it. Why? Because it’s all about Teresa. As you can see, it hasn’t affected the way he treats Gia or the other girls. He will always be an amazing uncle to them, even if she chooses not to be an amazing aunt.

Thank God my kids have my sisters, they give them the love of twenty aunts, and Joe sees that.

The one thing he regrets is calling his sister garbage. He doesn’t remember saying that, and it is not in his character to say that. Yes, he is completely disappointed with the way she treats him and his family, but he would never want to call her garbage. That is still his sister at the end of the day. He does love her. And so do I.

On a lighter note, I loved the footage of my family and my kids. That’s what makes me smile! I have beautiful, sweet kids, and you’re going to love them. Yes, Joe is a little obsessed with being sexual, but you will laugh a lot when you see him and I together! It’s great TV.

When Joe calls me his hero, I melt! He is my hero too! We both work incredibly hard, and we are not lazy people. We are go-getters, and if it’s there, we will find it! We complement each other so well. I hope God watches over our marriage through all of this and keeps us strong. This family is my life, my reason for living. I am nothing without Joe and my children!

Kathy and Rich have an
unbreakable relationship as well. They have a perfect little family! Kathy on the bike… I was rolling on the floor! She is that person who is so funny but doesn’t even know it. Did you see the guy’s face when she was talking about the food? How perfect are her kids? I love them all; they are real people. Our families get along so well. Our households are run similarly, so it just works with them. We got along from the start!

Caroline’s boys are leaving her, and I felt for her. I am so far away from that right now, but I tend to look at her family and really relate to them. I also have one girl and two boys, and I just feel like when my kids get older we will be very similar to how they are now. We’ll be extremely close and supportive the way they are. I enjoy watching them. And all you girls out there, Albie and Chris have a bachelor pad now… woo hoo!

Jacqueline, sweet Jacqueline, this is so normal. Most teenage girls hate their mom. Well I shouldn’t say hate, that is harsh, but they don’t want to listen to their mom when they are that age. Jacqueline loves Ashley, I can see it in her eyes. She just wants Ashley to want and need her, and she wants Ashley to listen to her advice. Jacqueline seems a little passive, but believe me, she is smart and tough. She is very good at remaining calm. I love the faces she makes when Ashley gets her steamed up, they are so stern and powerful. As soon as Ashley falls in love and is ready to get married and have some babies, she will be calling Jacqueline every day for advice. I promise, it will come! I must say Jacqueline looks stunning in the whole first episode. She’s beautiful!

Well I can’t wait until more of the story unfolds, and you see the light! Or my light at least!

I’m excited, I’m nervous, I’m anxious, I’m scared, but I’m not going anywhere… So let’s do this!

I hope you all have a magnifico giornata!

xoxo,

Melissa ;.)

High School All Over Again

Melissa talks about the difficulty of being the new girl.
May 24, 2011

Hi, everyone! How are you? Excited for Memorial Day weekend? I am just looking forward to going down the shore with my family and relaxing.

It was a tough week. Reliving that first episode was brutal. I survived as I always do. I’m still here! Sorry to all my haters, but I’m not going anywhere!

Something tells me that as the season goes on the haters may change their opinions. Well, I hope so at least. I will say that I do love how loyal the fans are to their favorites, it’s sweet. I mean that and I get it. It’s not exactly easy coming into a show as the freshman when you are with all the seniors that have been in school together for years. People have been watching those seniors for three years. Suddenly I’m back to my first day of high school remembering that knot you get in your stomach when you’re the new girl. Well that knot has been there all week. You tend to feel like you have to prove yourself. It stinks and you start to wonder why they just don’t see what a nice freshman you are. But If I just keep telling the truth, I won’t get myself into a bind. It’s the best way to go.

Even if you’re still trying to figure me out, know this — I love family. I used to cry when my father didn’t come home to dinner, because I wanted for us all to eat together. I love my husband’s family as well.

So if you don’t like something I do, then that’s fair, but if you are just listening to what someone else says, that’s not. Give me the chance to defend myself, you can’t believe what someone says just because they say it. You need to see the two-way conversation and then make your decision.

Which brings me to answering some of your questions. Joe and I have never once asked Teresa to put us on TV. We were at all the kids’ birthday parties, so of course you would see us in the background sometimes during past seasons. There was no way she wouldn’t invite us to the kids’ parties, what would everyone think? Where is her only brother, right? Of course we were there. Once again it was a “technicality,” but on her part this time. We usually kiss hello and then say goodbye when it’s over.

To be perfectly honest with you, Joe never wanted to be around the cameras. We were happy for her when she got the show, and I told her she should do it. It might be easy to think that we were jealous that she was on TV, but that is not the case. I hope in time, viewers can understand where I am coming from.

We never had the kind of relationship where I would call and say, “Why don’t you do something with your brother and the kids, it would be cute for the show.” I would feel so uncomfortable saying that, and she would look at me like I had ten heads.

Even in episode when I saw them making the sauce, a tradition that her brother would usually be invited to as well, we still never called or argued once about that.

Whether cameras are there or not, we just wanted to be a family. Period. There is nothing more to it than that. I know it might appear otherwise, but it’s just not the truth. Oh one other thing, yes, I do write my own blog!

On to the second episode. First of all, trick or treating is my favorite! Did you see my two little bats and my pretty little peacock? I love them so much! So cute to see them on the screen, they are so precious to me. I have to admit I’m slightly obsessed with them. We went trick or treating for five hours that day and to two different neighborhoods. My feet were killing me! We had enough candy to fill our candy draw for a year.

You will come to see that when my kids walk into a room, Joe and I just light up. We were meant to be parents. When I said, “I’m a wife and a mommy, and that’s what I do best,” I meant it. They are my life!

OK, let’s discuss Joe in the leopard dress. He’s so annoying! Why couldn’t he be something that would get me excited! Nothing embarrasses him, he’s just that confident type of guy. God bless him, he’s better than me. I wanted to crawl under the table when I saw that, but he was laughing hysterically! We had a really great night with my sisters and our friends. We try to do it now before we get old and never want to go dancing anymore, it keeps us young and fresh!

At this point I’m really starting to like Kim D., but I am not so sure about Kim G. Time will tell.

Loved watching Teresa play with her kids and their friends at the party she had for them. Those are the times I wish the kids could be together. That’s all they have to remember when they get older. Friends come and go, but family is forever. Jacqueline’s house looked like a great time too! I agree with her that fall activities are the best, and Jersey is gorgeous in the fall!

Kathy and Rich invited us over to talk about what happened at the christening. They knew how hurt Joe and I were, so they wanted us to come talk about it. They are good people and know that Joe needed some family to talk to, and they were kind enough to offer that to us. I love them for that.

As you can see, my husband was still so upset. I think he was expecting a phone call from his sister asking if we were all OK and trying to explain why she pushed him to that point, but he never got anything.

He admits the way he reacted was not the right way, but bottom line is it was his son’s christening. Families have blowouts, sometimes even tragic ones like this, but most of the time you get a phone call the next day. I think he wanted that from his sister.

He wanted an apology for doing what she does best, causing a stir and getting everyone crazy when it all could have been avoided in the first place. He then would have told her he is so sorry for calling her garbage. He absolutely doesn’t think she is. That’s how family should get through tough times, talk it out and forget about it.

I think Jacqueline hits the nail right on the head when she says, “Whenever Teresa says hello or congratulates someone, sh– hits the fan.” I also think Jacqueline’s face says it all when Teresa says, “I’m never confrontational.” Hmm, Jacqueline might be on to something there! I love Jacqueline’s description of her belly button. I appreciate the fact that she doesn’t take herself too seriously, I like her!

Here we are at the Posche fashion show, which I want to congratulate Kim D on. It was an amazing show and had a huge turn out. I love their stuff! OK, OK so we all know I’m not shy, and I had a lot of fun walking down the runway! I did feel like a peacock though. Things like that excite me, you’ll see why as the show goes on. I thought Jacqueline and Teresa did a great job, they both looked so pretty!

Did you see my sisters cheering me on? We love each other so much. We support each other no matter what. That’s what sisters do. If I saw one of my sisters robbing a bank, I wouldn’t tell on her. Sorry, that’s just the way it is! They really didn’t want me to go over by Joe Giudice’s mom because of some of the events that happened at the christening. I will never embarrass that family more than they already have, so I choose not to talk about it. Trust me, my sisters had my best interest in mind. They always do. But, being the person I am, I still didn’t listen to them and walked over to say hello and gave her a kiss. That’s what I believe was the right thing to do. Sometimes you just have to be the better person. I love my mother-in-law, and I will always respect her. Always! She’s the reason I cook so well!

I also thought it was pretty funny when Teresa says, “Melissa doesn’t phase me.” Then all of a sudden we hear, “Caroline, Caroline!” and “Why is my sister-in-law talking to Kim G.”

When Kathy tried to talk to Teresa, I honestly think it was from the heart. Who else was going to do it? Joe and Teresa have no other family but her, so I think she felt like she needed to step up to the plate. I think it’s safe to assume she regrets that.

I’m sure you know by now whenever Teresa pauses, thinks for a minute, and you see that blank face come on, you know what’s coming. When I asked why there was drama and yelling, Teresa went on to say something about her brother. I stopped her right in her tracks and let her know, not here, not when he’s not here to defend himself. It’s not right. I think she thought if she brought him up, everyone would forget that she just freaked out.

You have to understand my situation, I am caught in the middle of a brother and sister quarrel. Sometimes the sister doesn’t like to fess up to things she has done to hurt the brother-sister relationship. As you can see, it’s nothing he has done before the christening, because when people ask her what the problem is and what went wrong, she always says she doesn’t know. Sometimes she even blames it on the fact that he got married. This is so not true. If he or I ever did something wrong, believe me, Teresa would tell you. You would know by now.

You will see that I do everything in my power to mend the fences here, watch and see!

I love my husband so much, and his happiness is important to me. The other most important thing to me are the kids and the cousins, they need each other. It’s so great to have cousins backing you up, I know mine always do. That’s what I want for my children. I know that’s what everyone wants at the end of the day. I hope we can work this out!

You’re taking a ride with us. You will see us laugh, and you will see us cry. I just ask that you don’t be too judgmental until you know us a little better.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend! Love you guys!

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!!

Xoxo,

Melissa

Sex Drive

Melissa talks about her chemistry with Joe.
May 31, 2011

Hi everyone! Hope you enjoyed Memorial Day weekend. Thank you so much to the men and women who sacrifice their lives for us everyday. Xoxo! Love you guys!

Well here we are at Episode 3. What did you think? I can see how viewers might be a little a confused at this point. I think a lot of the key pieces of the puzzle are still missing for you guys. There is still a lot of back story that will unfold as the season goes on.

I wish Joe could write his own blog so he could explain why he feels the way he does, but hopefully everyone will understand soon. I really feel like it’s not my place to tell the story, so I’m not going to.

OK, OK, I think everyone gets that Joe has an enormous sex drive. Thank God! It’s better than him not wanting me right? I’ll take it. He’s not as demanding as he is coming off, that I can assure you.

Joe is the most emotional and sweet man you’ll ever meet in your life. Trust me, you haven’t seen that side of him yet. If I had to describe him in one word it would be passionate, without a doubt! That’s the best word to describe him. Joe would give someone the shirt off his back. I can’t wait for everyone to get to know him better. When Joe loves, he loves hard and with all his heart. He wants all of you! He’s the same way with his children, his parents, and his sister. I have to say, we have really great chemistry together, and it just works for us. I love him just as much as he loves me if not more! I really did marry my best friend, and I’m thankful for that.

I know there have to be some parents out there that still can’t get their first born out of mom and dad’s bed, help! What do I do? I know it’s my fault, because I was so crazy in love with her from the day she was born. I never put Antonia down, and I never put her in the crib. I wanted her in my bed, but now she’s five and she kicks all night and sleeps horizontally! Yes, she does tend to block Joe from doing certain things when he comes to bed! LOL! That’s life I guess.

I just want to make a small comment about Jacqueline. I really do feel her pain with her daughter. Jacqueline was so upset about having her daughter at a young age and then having to leave Ashley’s father. I can imagine the pain and difficulty she went through during that time. I will say it takes a strong woman to take her child and move on. She did what was best for her daughter at that time. I think instead of feeling guilty, she should feel proud. Many women don’t have the courage to do it, and they leave themselves and their children in an unhappy situation. I do feel like Ashley has incredible opportunities, and she is very lucky that her mother found a great guy who loves them both as much as he does. On Ashley’s part, I will say, it’s never easy having two separate families, and I do understand how she could sometimes feel like she is not sure where she belongs. This is never an easy subject, but I like to be optimistic about it and say it will all fall into place!

I’m so excited it’s summer, and I can’t wait to get down the shore and just start having some summer fun! I think that was the longest winter of my life!

Check out my website. Just posted some really great pictures from a photo shoot I did! I will be blogging all summer long and posting pictures of my family!

Also I’m getting a lot of questions about the black dress I wear in the opening credits. It’s a Mandalay, and it’s from http://www.reveboutique.com.

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo,

Melissa

On Sprinkle Cookies

Melissa gives her side of the sprinkle cookie catastrophe.
Jun 7, 2011

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is well! I just made a big pot of escarole and beans, yum! Now I’m sitting down at my island to write to all of you! Gino is pulling on my leg, and Joey is eating a cookie. Typical day at the Gorga residence!

Thank you all so much for your input on getting Antonia to sleep in her bed, I’m definitely going to try some of them. Joe and I were reading them together last week trying to decide which one to do!

I want you all to know I read each and every one of your comments, so keep them coming!

So glad I got to show you all what Thanksgiving is like at my house! I have a huge family and I just want to say thank you to my mom, sisters, aunts, and cousins! I would be nothing without you guys! You are all so amazing! We take turns having holidays, and everyone always helps out. I really enjoy prepping everything with them and taking on the work load on together. Is there something about Thanksgiving that makes men sleepy? I don’t know why they always take naps on this holiday. Oh let me not forget, we always watch the football game too.

I love to entertain and have people over, Joe and I are known for that. The more the merrier! I spent two days prepping and cooking, and it was all worth it in the end. I cannot thank Kathy enough for her incredible deserts! Do you know how much time that must have taken? And she is happy to do it! She loves it, and she is extremely talented. Believe it or not, they tasted even better than they looked! We have never spent Thanksgiving at home together, this is the first time, but I did go on vacation with her and her family twice on Thanksgiving.

I think it was confusing when I said it in my interview, I meant this year we were all going to be together with my family too! It’s days like these that I feel so grateful for the life I live. Sometimes I sit and think, why me? Why am I so lucky to have all of this, a wonderful family, healthy children, and a great husband I’m in love with? But instead of wondering on days like Thanksgiving I say, “Thank you, God!” It reminds me to be a good person, and that’s how I can show my thanks.

I feel like you got to listen to Teresa’s excuse as to why she threw away the cookies I brought her for Christmas. However, I’m going to have to say I think it was a pretty lame excuse. I do feel the need to explain what happened though.

I was four or five months pregnant at Christmas last year, when we were going to Teresa’s house. I went to Corrados, the same store you see me do my Thanksgiving shopping at to buy cookies to bring to her house. I saw these beautiful Christmas-looking sparkly cookies wrapped beautifully in paper that I couldn’t take my eyes of off. Maybe it was because I was pregnant and wanted everything. I love that store, it’s the best Italian store in the area! When I first got married I used to go all the time with my father-in-law, we would go shopping together a couple times a month and before every holiday! He taught me to love that store! He told me they have the best of everything.

Anyway, we had to go to Teresa’s house the next day after Christmas, because it was my in-laws’ anniversary, and we were going over for cake. Teresa had some friends there, we were all in the kitchen cleaning up, and Teresa said to me in front of everyone that she threw my cookies away because they looked like they were from a supermarket and not a bakery. She said she doesn’t like that type of cookie, and no one ate them. She said the next time I come to her house I should bring pignoli cookies from a bakery. I don’t know if she was implying that I’m cheap or she just wanted to be mean. I also don’t know if she has now decided that she is Queen Elizabeth! Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought it was rude, and I was embarrassed in front of her friends. I was also pregnant and that makes it even worse. I was taught to be thankful for anything someone brings to my house. I’m the kind of person that doesn’t expect anything from anyone. I will say that when I went back the next day after Christmas for the anniversary dinner, I brought a beautiful chocolate cake from a bakery hoping to please her this time. For the record, I happen to love colorful Christmas sprinkle cookies!

OK, so why did I write “redone home?” Contrary to the rumors, I don’t wish to expose my husband’s family, but I do think I should explain this. First off let me say it is a beautiful redone home. Was it a dig? Yes! Teresa did live in that house for five years before they decided to put the addition on it. (I’m still confused why she said she skeeves out at living in other people’s homes, because she did for five years.) I don’t see what’s wrong with that. What’s wrong with making rooms bigger and adding a couple! Is it just me? Most people would love to live in that house.

Did I know she would not like the wording, yes.

What you will see in episodes to come is that she has been throwing digs at me since the day I came into this family. Why? I don’t know. I could never figure it out, I could never figure out why she would say something so rude to me and then two minutes later smile and want to go to lunch.

To be honest I’ve been confused about Teresa since the day I met her. I’ve decided not to list the digs that have been thrown at me first before I wrote that card. If they play out on the show they do, if they don’t, they don’t. Was redone the best choice of words, no.

When I entered this family I put them first, I spent more time with Teresa and Joe’s parents then I did my own. I loved them, and my family lived an hour and a half away. We spent almost every Sunday with them and we went out to dinner with Joe and Teresa and Kathy and Rich almost every weekend! Believe me I tried, I put his family first.

I will say I’m also happy they showed us at the housewarming party! Can we now put all those rumors to rest that Joe and I were mad for not being around the cameras? It’s just simply not true.

I have to admit I’m a little sad today seeing how Joe Giudice was talking about me. I really don’t understand that either. I’ve never done anything to hurt him, and I made him the godfather of my first born child, Antonia. I always wanted to make it fair between Joe’s family and mine, so I picked Joe Giudice because my husband doesn’t have a brother. I could have picked my brother-in-law first who was like a second father to me, but I didn’t. I wanted us to all be a family together.

I love Joe very much and I know he appreciates my family, but there is something missing and that’s his family. I want him to be happy, he has mad me happy since the day I met him. I want him to spend the holidays with his family.

At this point I will do anything in my power to get this fixed and have everyone work it out. When I say I will deal with anything I have to so he can have his family I mean it. Anything. I will stop at nothing to fix this.

About my father, Anthony John Marco, may he rest in peace, and I hope he’s looking down on me and proud of who I am. I know what it is like to lose a family member, it is not pretty. I still deal with it every single day. I am still mad at him for not having his seatbelt on that day he got into the car accident. I know what it is like to not have him walk me down the aisle, not see this beautiful house I live in, not see me graduate college, never meet my babies and never meet Joe. I want Joe and his family to realize how lucky they are that they all still have each other, and they can all still spend time together. The clock keeps ticking and the hours keep on going. Time is being wasted. It’s time to fix this.

Sorry to end the blog on a sad note, but it is what it is.

The crazy mechanical bull my husband decided to add to our Thanksgiving was from http://www.partyperfectrentals.com.

The gorgeous decorations you see on my doors and on my tables are from a very talented lady named Donna. She can make anything! To get in touch with her you can go to her website. http://www.homesweethomeshop.net.

Just put a new blog up yesterday. I am getting so many questions about my makeup and skincare, I answered a few!

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo

Melissa

On Display

Melissa talks about her singing aspirations and the gymnastics meet drama.
Jun 14, 2011

Hi everyone! So do we like the New Jersey Housewives on Sunday nights? As always I want to thank all of you who support me for your love. I’ve received so many emails lately, and I can’t even explain the way you make me feel, thank you!

Well here we go, here comes the singing! I still can’t believe it’s all happening. Music was my first love! I could remember being in elementary school and loving music class so much. I would make excuses to just walk back in the classroom, I would purposely forget things, I would bring the teacher cupcakes, anything I could do to go back. I will never forget my music teacher, Mrs. Orkfiz. She wrote in my sixth grade yearbook that she can’t wait to see me on the cover of People Magazine. I still have it and will never forget she wrote that. I loved her!

Okay, I can’t believe I pronounced the word wrong in ‘Amazing Grace,’ one of my all time favorite songs. I swear I know the right word, why did wench come out? I think knowing I was going to sing in front of the cameras for the first time got me nervous. Did it have to be THAT word? I’m sooo embarrassed! Please forgive me for that. We were laughing for fifteen minutes straight when we saw it, I knew the press was going to have a field day with that! I guess you’re going to start to see a more vulnerable side of me.

This is a long and crazy journey you are about to take with me. I still get incredibly choked up every time I think about the music and my father. I can’t believe he’s not here to see it happening, but I know he’s watching! I am so excited for everyone to hear me sing, that was just a little taste, but as the episodes go on there will be more and more. I’ve toyed with the idea for years, but I always want to put my family first, so it was hard for me to make the decision to go for it. At this point I’m scared, I’m afraid, and I don’t know if I can do it. But if I don’t try, how will I ever know? Did you see Antonia and Gino jumping around the room? They are so cute and innocent, I them so much! Antonia is my mini me, I see so much of me in her. They now know every word to ‘On Display.’ It’s their favorite song!

The way Joe is supporting me is so untouchable. I know he loves me and I thank him everyday for what he does for me. I can’t repay him with money, so I repay him by keeping his children immaculate, having dinner ready every night, having clean clothes for him everyday, and most importantly waiting on him.

Since the day I married Joe, I have been waiting on him. He’s always working, and I don’t look to run out of the house or go shopping everyday or go out with my girlfriends. I give him the peace of mind that his wife is home and waiting on him.

I don’t know how to express the relationship that Joe and I have. It’s hard to describe. I know there is no denying it, it’s real, it’s true. I know there are people that are going to try to break us down, and I know there are people who just don’t understand it, and therefore they make nasty comments about it. Things like, “Melissa has a way of getting what she wants, do I f—ing need to spell it out.” No, Teresa, please don’t spell it out, we know exactly what you are insinuating.

By now everyone should also know that these kinds of things could be the root of why Joe and Teresa have such a hard time getting along. That hurts him, he doesn’t understand it.

We don’t understand how the way we live our life affects her. We would never do anything to hurt her, we both truly love Teresa, I mean that. We just can’t understand her.

We never throw our relationship in her face, we never give her a reason to give us such a hard time. She was there from the day we met and knows what we have. I like to think she is happy for her little brother for finding a wife he loves and knowing that I love him just as much. It’s still so unclear to me why this bothers her.

I don’t think I need to explain the way we treat her kids, I think it is clear as day. I’m trying really hard not to write in this blog what I think is so obvious in the episode. Besides, they say the best revenge is success. This I agree with. Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.

I’m so happy that Joe decided to call his sister and work things out. I knew Gia had a meet and knew it would be a great time to smooth things over and just be with his family. I knew he would not be able to say no to me if I told him it was for Gia. I suggested he call his sister and tell her he wants to come. I’m glad he listened to me.

I am so proud of Gia, she loves gymnastics! Antonia loves to watch Gia, they go to the same gymnastics school, and Antonia gets so excited when she runs into her there. She always says, “Momma I love the way Gia does gymnastics.” I tell her when she gets big she will be able to do all of those things too, just like her big cousin. That is what makes me weak through all of this, that’s what makes me want to take anything they want to give me — the kids, nothing else really matters.

I want Joe and Teresa to see this, I want everyone to understand that we all need to forgive and forget, let the past be the past. It’s time to get over it. It’s time to move on.

The time of the gymnastics meet did get confused, and Joe was a little off on it. You could see there was a lot of confusion when she told him the time on the phone, she changed the time twice and Gia said a different time. But once he got there you could see in his eyes and in Gia’s that it didn’t matter. What mattered was that we were all trying to be in the same place and putting in the effort to fix this. I loved to see Antonia and Miliana hug, they love each other so much! I’m not going to deny it was a little uncomfortable and a little tense. I can’t help but feel the vibes they were giving off. You could cut the tension with a knife, and it was very obvious.

Maybe the problem isn’t with Joey’s wife, maybe it’s with Teresa’s husband? When the kids wanted to have a play date it broke my heart not to let them, but I knew that Teresa had a long day and needed to go get ready for her talk with her brother, they were meeting in one hour.

I also knew that I wanted to be able to talk to Joe before he went to meet his sister and tell him to think positive and try really hard to work it out. I’m very protective of my children, and I didn’t want them to pick up on what was going on. My daughter and my sons have no idea of this whole situation, and they never will as long as I can help it. That is their aunt and their uncle, and they will always respect them.

I want to address sweet Victoria. I love her so much. I have faith in knowing my daughter will always have a great big cousin in her. She really is exactly what you see. She’s one of the most beautiful teenagers I’ve ever met, inside and out. I remember when she had the brain tumor. It was right when I first met Joe. We went to the hospital in NY to go see her, and we stayed there for hours. It was wonderful to see the whole family all come together and support this child. She is strong and she is confident. Thank God everything is great now with her health. I think it made her who she is today. I know that was a huge eye opener for Kathy and Rich, and life was never the same for them after that. They started to appreciate everything more and realize what really matters. It was around that time Kathy and I started to become very close. I love Kathy and her family! She means a lot to me, not only as my cousin, but as my best friend. The contracts were perfect! Kathy’s face is priceless when Joey says he may have a drink on a Friday night, that was so Kathy! How cute is Joey Wakile? He is hilarious! Move over Albie Manzo! LOL!

Okay so now Ashley gets a car? Wow, she is one lucky girl! This girl is good! Chris seems like a pretty reasonable guy, so I’m assuming he has some kind of reason for this. Listen, Jacqueline, I think the way he spoils her is better than having a wicked step father, right? Not to sure on this one.

Caroline is doing radio! Yay! We all love to hear what she has to say. I like that she’s not choosing to sit home and she is finding herself after her children start to leave the nest. I love the phone call Caroline and Jacqueline have as she’s driving there. They have a great relationship! They are both on this show together as sister-in-laws, and they are making it work for them. No drama, just true family love! I love what they have.

At this point baby steps is all we can take to fixing this. We only have one life, she only has one brother, and he only has one sister. Fix this and stop letting the little things get in the way.

I know at this point I’m going to have to take whatever they want to dish out to me, and I am willing to do it for my husband. After everything he does for me, it’s the least I can do. I love him and this is not about me, don’t get me wrong.

I want to be respected, and I will never let anyone disrespect me, but I am willing to let things slide if that’s what it’s going to take.

The amazing singer I wrote my song with is Antony Bitar! He makes the most beautiful songs. You have to go to iTunes and download his most recent, it’s called ‘Butterflies.’ It’s an incredible song!

I can’t wait for you to hear the rest of ‘On Display.’ I’m proud of it!

The boutique you saw me shop at this week is called Erez, it’s in Englewood, N.J. Amy and Debra are so sweet and love their customers! They have the most beautiful clothes!

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo

Melissa

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Melissa discusses Teresa’s meeting with Joey and hopes everyone can reconcile.
Jun 21, 2011

Hi, hope everyone had an incredible Father’s Day! We spent it down on the shore with Joe’s family and had a wonderful time. The kids made him the most beautiful gifts at school, and then we went out on a boat and went fishing. It was a great day with family! I cherish every moment with Joe and the kids more than ever, because I’ve been so busy. I miss my father so much and thought about him a lot this weekend. I just hope everyone appreciates every moment they have with their parents. Joe is such a great dad and he was beaming with pride when the kids gave him their gifts; it was so cute!

OK, well time to travel back in time and explain this episode (and what an episode it was). I’m glad Joe took the steps to talk to Teresa about why he’s upset with her.

It’s obvious from the opening scenes that I will support whatever it takes for my husband to reconcile with his sister. It is so emotionally draining, but I tell him to stay positive.

Teresa and I may never see eye to eye, but I know how much he loves her and wants his family back. I don’t think we will ever be perfect, but I hope to at least get to a place where we can respect each other and have the kids together more and spend Sundays together as a family.

I’m going to address what happened in this episode and try to give you some insight into why there is conflict between our families. Watching this episode it’s obvious that from Teresa’s point of view she feels it’s completely my fault and my husband feels that Teresa and Joe Giudice are at fault. Every argument has two sides, and I admit I’ve made mistakes along the way. So here we go.

As you see in this episode (and more in next week’s) the breakdown between my husband and his sister began well before I entered the picture. Teresa even admits that she put her brother before her husband; by doing that, she made her husband turn against her brother.

I don’t blame Joe Giudice for getting a complex and feeling the need to keep up with my husband, because at every turn he was being asked why Joey has this or look at the big house Joey built. That began way before I came around, and I could feel the tension from the very first day I spent with his family. That’s the truth.

At dinner, my husband pulls out Teresa’s letter and asks her, “What do you mean by you hurt me, you hurt my family?” Teresa has no answer.

Joe tells Teresa that their relationship is broken because he feels that she neglected his family, that she is not an aunt to his kids, and that he is tired of her being fake for the cameras.

In the first episode, Joe tells Teresa to “do what you do best” and ignore us. He’s referring to the fact that Teresa doesn’t call to see how our kids are or come over to see our family. He also mentions in this episode how she doesn’t know her godson, Gino, and my heart broke.

Teresa constantly says, “It’s your wife,” that I’m “cold,” and that I ignored her phone calls.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not cold. I am one of the most loyal people around. I love life, and I wear my heart on my sleeve.

I never wanted to ignore her phone calls, but sometimes I would be having a nice day with my kids and she would call, make an unnecessary dig, and ruin it.

As you can see from watching the show for the past three seasons, Teresa has a way of saying things to people that can make your mouth drop almost every time. She’ll say something nasty then, when you react, she will call you out on it and never acknowledge what she said to cause the reaction in the first place.

These are the hurtful comments that Kathy talks about during the episode, which Teresa thinks we are all too sensitive about and should just ignore. It’s like that girl in school who will pinch you and then when the teacher comes over to see what the problem is she just smiles and says, “I don’t know why she’s so mad.”

When Joe asks Teresa, “What has my wife done to you,” she comes back to the fact that I sent her a card that said, “Congratulations to you and your re-done home.”

I’m not sure if you caught it, but what Joe tries to explain to Teresa is that I wrote that card, because when we finished our new house, she called not to congratulate us, but to say that we only finished your home in a year because we had a loan.

It seemed like Teresa was upset that we finished our home first, like it’s a competition. What’s the big deal? Why can’t we celebrate that we’re both movin’ on up?

I’m not proud that I said re-done home on her card. I should have just zipped it and let it go. Understand this is just one of the many backhanded comments we’ve received from Teresa over the years, and you can only get pushed so much.

After watching these past few episodes, I’m starting to see that when Teresa talks about her family, she means her mother, father, her brother, and her kids — not her brother’s wife or his kids. If any of you are aunts or uncles maybe you can understand where I’m coming from. Think about the love you have for them. Could you ever treat them wrong or ignore them?

I love my nieces and nephews; they can do no wrong in my eyes. I really wish I could get the kids together for more play dates. I know I just have to suck it up and deal with Teresa to make sure the kids don’t grow up without really knowing each other, but we also really need to talk about the underlying issues before we can move forward as a family. The problem is that Teresa pretends like everything is fine when it’s not. She has a tendency to throw a blanket over everything instead of sitting down and getting to the root of the problem so everyone can move on.

I really feel that Teresa shows her true colors when she tells Jacqueline her side of the meeting with her brother. She keeps saying, “It’s Melissa! It’s Melissa!” Joe is his own man and he makes his own decisions. Anyone who knows him knows that I can never change his mind on anything.

He just wants Teresa to own up to her mistakes.

I expected Teresa to blame me, since I’m usually the scapegoat, but what I didn’t expect was what came out of her mouth… She tells Jacqueline that I’m a “gold-digger” and in the same breath bashes me for not growing up with a silver spoon in my mouth!

I held down three jobs to put myself through college when I first met Joe. My father had just passed and my uncle/godfather helped me. What’s wrong with working three jobs? What’s wrong with working to pay your own way? That is one of the reasons why her brother loves me and respects me so much.

I’ll do whatever it takes. It’s also the reason why Teresa wants people to respect her now. She is now working to make money for her family, right?

I’d also like to know what’s so wrong with Joe and I falling in love and moving in together quickly? After seven years and three kids, we are stronger than ever! And I’m a gold-digger? Does she think her brother has nothing to offer besides money?

Joe is so supportive, pushing me follow my dreams. He is my gorgeous prince charming who is hilarious and sometimes annoying, but come on, our chemistry is undeniable. Joe and I hit rock bottom financially and I stood by him until we pulled through together. I didn’t leave him then and I never would.

Teresa’s constant digs about me and Joe aren’t even what is so upsetting throughout this entire episode. Teresa recalls a conversation that her and I supposedly once had early on in my relationship with Joe, where I said to her, “As soon as I met Joe, I saw his house. I wasn’t stupid like my two sisters, I was smart.” Now that is an absolute lie. I never thought Teresa would go so low as to outright lie. I almost couldn’t believe my ears. My sisters are my world, and they both live beautiful lives. They are very lucky women to say the least, and she knows that. I don’t get it? What is her reason for this? I can’t even believe she said that.

Anyway, I’m glad you get to see our dinner with Kathy and Rich at Kim and Bob Hiza’s house. You can clearly see that we had the perfect opportunity to discuss Teresa and Joe Giudice’s financial problems, but we took the high road as we always do when that topic is brought up in the press, on the show, and around other people. We are not out to get Teresa or talk about their legal issues.

When I say I want this family to get back together, I truly do mean it. I want our kids to play together, and I want us to spend time together as a family. I never sat down with Teresa face-to-face until now, but I stand by what I wrote above. Let’s sit down talk about our issues and fix them, for real.

OK on a lighter note, how great is Caroline getting her own radio show? She had a rocky start to her first show, but by the end you could see she was made for this (well except for the weather reports). It’s interesting that the radio show focused on family issues. Caroline makes a whole lot of sense, and I have the utmost respect for her. She is a strong Italian woman who has an amazing and strong family. For the record, that woman who called in with my same story was not me or anyone I know! Seems like this happens a lot with families and people get through it, so I’m happy to hear that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I’m excited for everyone to see next week’s episode, which I think will be very telling. Keep watching; things have a way of coming around.

Joe and I are packing for LA this week. It’s my first trip to Cali, and I know I’ll fall in love with it.

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!!

Xoxo

Melissa

Around in Circles

Melissa tells us about her recent trip to LA and shares her thoughts on the talk with Teresa.
Jun 29, 2011

Hi everyone! Just want to start out by saying I had the most incredible time in LA this week! Wow, everyone who lives out on the west coast is so lucky. Not to say we aren’t, I missed Jersey so much! I have to say the restaurants were so beautiful, but the food really couldn’t compare to NY/NJ. Sorry, I have to keep it real, it must be in the water!

Anyway I did some press while I was out there, and everyone was so nice! I loved doing Good Day LA. They have the most beautiful news anchors around! I went to the E! News building and met Marc Malkin, who was the biggest sweetheart. I can’t deny my absolute favorite interview was with Ryan Seacrest! OMG, this was exciting, his office was so crazy. It was like a party from the second Joe and I walked in. We loved it! I just want to say thank you to all my new LA fans and friends. You are all amazing! I can’t wait to go back, Joe feels the same. There is just a feel good vibe going around that town. Love!

On to the episode… So glad Teresa and I had that talk. It was overdue! Sometimes it seems we go around in circles — round and round we go, where we stop, no one knows? Hopefully it stops here!

I do want to tell everyone that it might seem like I roll my eyes a lot, but that is not because I don’t want to listen to her, it’s because I’m thinking. I think with my eyes, I always have, so I just wanted to clear that up.

I also got a little frustrated when she brings up her brother’s business deals. I don’t see how it has anything to do with our conversation. It’s almost like she’s trying to expose him or something. It had nothing to do with the conversation, so I got a little aggravated.

I will say by the end of the conversation I really did want to make it work, and that’s why I took out the vacation pictures. Family is everything, even if we don’t always see eye to eye. When all of this is over, who will still be here? Family. I really want for both of us to stop and get to a happy place. I think it’s OK to agree to disagree sometimes. I’m not saying we won’t ever go back and forth again, we probably will, but I never want to get back to the place we were.

OK, so the Catskills looked like a good time! I thought Jacqueline was hysterical, and Caroline is a typical overprotective Italian mommy. They looked like they had a lot of fun. Joe Giudice was pretty good at shooting those melons! Lots of eating and drinking and some crazy sex talk! OK the ring thing was a little too much for me, not my style, eww! Why was she holding that?

I loved watching Kathy take the reins and go after her dreams of opening her own business. She has such a passion for food and entertaining. I mean did you see the desserts she made for Thanksgiving? I know that whether she decides to open a restaurant or not, she will always do what’s best for her and her family.

Did you see my little girl ballroom dance? I was really proud of her! She practiced really hard for that show and did such a great job. She really knows how to shake it! Sometimes I can’t believe the way I see her move around the house. It really does come naturally to her, and she’s just got it! I love her so much!

Something about watching your child perform in front of a huge group of people makes me very proud that she is so confident and had the guts to do it. She was the youngest one there! There were about thirty acts that night, once again you only saw the older people who went, who by the way, were also so good! But there were many other children there performing from ages 8-16 and then there were the adults. It was such a great show! That’s an incredible dance school.

Also, did you see how happy my husband was with his mother? Ah, this is what I like! No tension, just good family times. So happy she came and got to watch her granddaughter! Joe was so happy she was there, we all danced for hours! Joe was beaming with happiness. It was all over his face, and I felt the same. This is all we ever want! Love this! My mother, my sister, and Kathy’s family all came to support Antonia, and it was such a great and memorable night! We all laughed together and had an incredible night together. I was so happy Antonia got to have both of her grandmothers there on her big night!

The name of Antonia’s dance school is called Fred Astaire Dance in Montville, NJ.

Here are a couple links to some of the interviews I did while I was in LA:

Ryan Secreast

Marc Malkin on E! Online

Good Day LA

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo,

Melissa

My First Love

Melissa talks about pursuing her music career and Jacqueline’s holiday party.
Jul 11, 2011

Hi, everyone! Hope you all are enjoying the summer. I had a great holiday weekend with Joe and the kids down on the shore! The weather was amazing! I met so many fans this weekend and just want to say I love you guys! What incredible people you all are.

Wow, I can’t believe we are almost halfway through the season already. It is going by so fast!

So you get to see a little more of my musical journey on this episode. Music has always been my first love…until I met Joe and had my kids. I love to sing and I love to create music, but nothing will ever come before my family. They will always be my first priority. My clock doesn’t tick without them. With that said, I’m so happy to have the support from my husband and my kids to give me the OK to follow my dreams.

When I married Joe and had my children I just wanted to be a mommy and a wifey! I was that girl in high school who just wanted to get married and have babies. Well, I did it, and I’m proud of the wife and mother that I’ve become. But I kept my dream close, and when this opportunity came about, I just couldn’t let it pass me by.

I was so nervous and scared when the producers got to my house. I was trying so hard to control my nerves so they wouldn’t rattle my voice. It’s definitely not easy to sing a cappella, let alone in a room with music producers that work every day with artists such as Britney Spears and Beyonce. What if they tell me I stink? What if everyone hates my song? But how will I ever know if I don’t try.

It’s not in my genes to back out and run away when I’m scared. I never did it before, and I’m not going to start now. There is something deep down inside telling me I can do this. I was ecstatic when Corte and K-Mack told me that I could sing. I still didn’t believe it though; I wanted to keep singing for them just to make sure! We all think we sound like Diana Ross when we are in the shower! I know I do, but to have these top producers believe in me was incredible. Now, by no means am I Mariah Carey, long live the queen! But I’ve come to find out that your vocal cords are a muscle, and you need to exercise them. I still have a lot of work to do, and I really am ready for it. This is not a one, two, three type of dream. It takes a lot of dedication and a lot of practice. I’m so excited that all of you will get to see my whole journey! It’s a crazy one, and it’s definitely one of the hardest challenges I’ve ever come across in my life. But I love every minute of it! Don’t ever give up on your dreams, just when you’re about to give up, it will happen. I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

How amazing is Joe? I wish there was something I could build for him. The only thing I can build for Joe is a strong family, and that I do for him every day. He is one of a kind and I love him. I am so happy that I can put the kids to bed at night and go down into the studio. It’s such a blessing. This whole scene just turns me on, he’s so hot when he works!

So Christmas in July! This is my favorite time of the year, and I’m so happy that Joe and his sister made up just in time for the holidays! We had so much fun that night! Jacqueline and Chris did everything they could to make us feel comfortable from the second we walked in. Ashley was a complete sweetheart. I really appreciated that, and I love the Lauritas!

I’ve come to find that Jacqueline and I have a lot in common, we both just want everyone to be happy. Neither of us will push anyone or say a word unless we are provoked. I thought she was being a good friend to Teresa by inviting Joe and me.

And the Manzos… What a fun bunch of down to earth people! They remind me so much of my family, it was refreshing to be with them. Albie, Chris, and Lauren are such a breath of fresh air! They are hysterical and really know how to have fun. I love Greg too. He is hilarious! When I see the three of them together I think of my kids and wonder if they will have the same relationship as they do. You can tell they all back each other up no matter what, and I love that!

Mamma Caroline is a no nonsense type of girl, but she’s real. You can feel it from the second you speak to her. Something about Caroline, when she talks you want to listen. I don’t work well with people who fake it or can’t look at me in the eyes when they speak to me. She looks at you straight in the eyes. I love it! Albert was a big teddy bear; he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. We all really had a great time that night, and I was so happy we all got along and it went well!

How nuts is Joe? I couldn’t believe he put on Jacqueline’s one-piece sparkled jump suit. Don’t dare Joe, because he will do it! He is one of the most secure men I know, and he’s definitely not shy, so anything goes! Joe and I have always known how to have a good time. We love life and love to enjoy it with good friends and family. What else is there? I’m glad he brought a couple of laughs to the party.

And I really meant what I said about wanting Teresa to be my sister. I wish she would have let me in from the beginning, but better late than never! We are fixing this!

I love that Kathy has big hopes and dreams! She was born to entertain, and she is the most unbelievable cook! I think the talk with Albert hit home for them. It’s not all glitz and glamour owning a restaurant. He gives them solid, honest advice. I’ve know them for many years; they will only do what is right for their family. I will say their faces when Albert was laughing was priceless! They make me smile.

OK, finally I have to address this… so by now you’ve all heard me say, “Thank you Jesus!” many times. These are words I’ve been saying since I was a teenager. I have a very close relationship with God, and I’m a very spiritual person. I believe in thanking Jesus for everything that goes well in life. It is my belief that all good things come from him, and I’m not scared to say it! I go to church almost every Sunday and always will. I caught myself saying it a lot more when I had children. I said it every time I looked at them, I couldn’t believe they were mine and I created them! They just amaze me, I can’t help it. When I see them, I just want to thank the big man above!

I can’t wait for you all to hear the finished version of ‘On Display.’ It will be available on iTunes in the beginning of August!

Love you all so much and thank you to everyone for your positive comments and support!

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo

Melissa

Little Miss Trouble

Melissa clears up why Kim G. was invited to the Christmas party.
Jul 18, 2011

Hi everyone! Merry Christmas! I still can’t believe we are watching this in July! Christmas is my favorite time of the year. If you can’t let bygones be bygones this time of year than you probably never will. Something is just in the air, and when I said I feel Christmas, I mean it! I love it! I always decorate over the top and add a little more each year. Joe always yells at me and says I buy too many Christmas decorations. I want every decoration when I walk into those stores. It’s pretty much the same as when I walk into a shoe store!

Joe and I always have issues when we put up our tree… the lights never work, we always mess up the order, the small one is always on the bottom when it’s supposed to be on the top. It’s always a mess. If you couldn’t tell, Joe does not enjoy decorating. He just wants to get it over with, but my little munchkins love it!

This time of year is about the children, and of course it’s Jesus’s birthday! So I decided to have a Christmas party with two things in mind – it would be a good reason to get everyone together and move forward so we can all remember how much we really do love each other, and secondly, it would help children that are not fortunate enough to be home this time of year. It was for the children of St. Joseph’s hospital in Paterson, New Jersey. What an amazing hospital. I’ll never forget when Gino was a small baby and he was hospitalized for five days there. It broke my heart walking around those hallways and seeing those children away from home. It made me realize how every moment with your children is so important. Forget the small stuff. What matters is your health and the health of your children, nothing else really matters. Thank God Gino was fine and everything was good after that, but I’ll never forget sleeping in that chair night after night and wishing I could take the pain away from him. I always remember that feeling and knew I wanted to do something for the hospital. So glad that I had the chance to do it, and all of our friends helped out!

Didn’t the Christmas party look great? Fabulous Fred did an amazing job and did everything I asked for just perfectly! I loved the carolers! I can’t stop laughing when I think of Albie, Chris, and Greg taking the picture on the step and repeat! They are hilarious! I really enjoy spending time with them… they are so easy to get along with and very down to earth. Greg is as fabulous as they come! And Lauren reminds me of a little Caroline, she is a smart cookie. I feel like she says it all with her face, just watch her and you’ll see!

The night really was going well, until little miss trouble decided to bring a friend. I’m sure you are asking why Kim G. was there in the first place. Let me explain.

Kim G. is not a good friend of mine, but she is in our circle of acquaintances and attends a lot of the same events that we do. I can’t go around having issues with everyone my family members don’t get along with, so I chose just to stay cordial. But come on Kim G., really! Why did she do that? I can’t believe Monica would even want to come. It all just didn’t make sense to me.

Teresa and I might have our issues, but family is family. This is her brother’s house and by no means will I let her feel uncomfortable in it. That’s not why I invited her, I wanted her to be happy and just enjoy being with us on Christmas. I was not going to let a complete stranger ruin our night. I didn’t think twice about asking her to leave. I did feel embarrassed for Monica and tried to do it as politely as possible.

Kathy and Teresa’s little clash was sad. I think Kathy really just wanted to let bygones be bygones. I think the holidays are a good time to forgive and forget. I know those were Kathy’s intentions, she kept going over to Teresa because she clearly wanted to talk and not just say hi. I did feel bad for her that night, she was really trying to fix things. They are blood so having a disagreement is normal, but dragging it on and on I don’t think is a good idea. I know Rich was very upset when they were in my bathroom, but I thought he was so funny. He really would have burnt the house down if Kathy told him too! He will do anything for her happiness, you have to give him that, he supports his wife to the end.

I really hope next week’s episode shows some of the fun we had that night! I swear we had a blast! Come on, everybody, it’s Christmas!

Everyone has been asking, so here are some businesses that helped me make an incredible Christmas Party…

http://www.fab-foods.com – Everything fabulous and the best party food!

http://www.partiesbyme.com – Incredible DJ services and they brought me the best casino tables.

You can find the gorgeous carolers at susan.martz@theyuletidecarolers.com

I bought the beautiful Christmas Decorator at http://www.homesweethomeshop.net

My dress was a Mandalay from Reve boutique in Englewood, NJ

My pretty headband was from http://www.thesassyshopgirl.com

And of course I can never go to a party without the most incredible make-up artist in the world @georgemiguelc. Love him!

Last but not least, I hope you caught Joe and I on Watch What Happens Live last night. We had such a blast in the studio with Andy celebrating the second anniversary of WWHL!

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo

Melissa

A Perfect Christmas

Melissa shares her thoughts on Teresa’s Christmas Eve party.
Jul 25, 2011

Hi everyone!

Hope you all had a great week! So you finally got to see how my Christmas party ends. It wasn’t without its drama, but over all we really had a great time and we danced all night.

Everyone knows that Kim G. was wrong for bringing Monica, and she wouldn’t let it go that we asked her guest to leave. I know Teresa probably wanted me to throw Kim G. out too, but I felt like I put out enough fires for her and Joe that night and tried to make them as comfortable as possible. I just wanted to enjoy the party that I put so much time into, so I was happy to dance with Teresa and just forget about Kim G.

It was really wonderful to dance with Teresa. It felt really good to just enjoy each other and have fun. It’s Christmas! Time to forgive and forget! I’m by no means perfect, but who was wrong and who was right doesn’t really matter to me at this point, let’s just be a family.

Speaking of family, when the Manzos threw Kim G. out I could see they were extremely frustrated with her. Caroline was trying to explain to her that coming to the party and bringing Monica was wrong and she obviously had bad intentions when doing it. Albie and Chris saw their mother getting upset and just stepped right in. I will say, whether they were right or wrong, that’s what I’m talking about! I would jump in front of a car to save my mother and so would they. I did feel terrible for Chris though. You could see it in his face that he felt horrible. That’s his best friend’s mother… it must of killed him. She is still a lady, and so we all must treat her as one. You could clearly see Caroline was concerned for her son when he went to talk to his friend on the phone. Chris is right, the whole situation just sucks! The Manzos are a strong group and I love how they get through things together in a huddle! When they threw Kim G. out it honestly was one less thing that I had to worry about.

When you see Kathy and her family getting ready for Christmas Eve it was very sad. The situation between her mother and my father-in-law happened a very long time ago, but you can see there must still be some hurt there. Zia Maria’s eyes watered up very quickly. It was like she could feel all the lost time she had with him over a silly reason. Why? Why does this happen in families? I know we are not the only ones, right? There is something about when an immediate family member hurts you, it hurts so badly.

So some of the christening moments came back to haunt us, which might explain some of my sister’s hard feelings and a lot of mine and Joe’s. My whole family was just trying to help and hold people back, Joe Giudice’s family was actually throwing punches.

Joe’s reluctance to go to Christmas Eve at his sister’s house was because Joe Giudice’s parents were going to be there. He was still hurt by what they did at the christening; he was in shock because they were like an aunt and uncle to him growing up.

He loves Christmas Eve and wanted to feel comfortable and not on edge all night. That’s why I had to give him a little push to go to his sister’s house. I knew it was the right thing to do. We needed to just suck it up for his parents so they can see their grandchildren on Christmas and the kids could be together.

I am trying so hard to make this work. This is just what needs to be done. Besides, I’m really looking to get along with Teresa now, I want her in my life and I really just want for us to enjoy being together. For the first time in a long time it doesn’t feel forced.

Christmas Eve at Teresa’s house seemed perfect to me. We had all of our favorite foods, and I was so happy that we all worked it out in time for this holiday. How beautiful were the kids? OMG, they are one more beautiful than the other. The four of us are all so blessed to have beautiful and healthy children. Thank you, Jesus! They had so much fun together and my in laws looked so happy. I was so happy and I know Joe was too. How funny was my mother-in-law as Santa? We never did that before and Miliania and Antonia had her number! The pictures we took that night will last forever. This is what life is about. I even brought pignoli cookies!

I really enjoyed the night and felt like it couldn’t have gone better, but watching the episode I saw that Teresa and Joe Giudice felt VERY different. Teresa said I don’t act like a Gorga, but the truth is I’m not a Gorga! I’m a Marco and very proud of it! She needs to realize that her brother’s married and learn to welcome people into the Gorga family. There are a lot of wonderful people out there that are not Gorgas! Also, was I really dressed inappropriately? I had leggings on, geez! I like to dress festively for the holidays! I do every year!

There is no denying that Teresa is hard to please, but come on, I’m really trying here! I wanted everyone to be happy, I wanted them to see that I’m not the reason Joe and Teresa aren’t getting along. I’m pushing for them to be together.

But maybe you can understand why Joe doesn’t want to be around his sister’s husband and his family when he says horrible things about his wife.

I’m completely in shock with Joe Giudice’s behavior. I had absolutely no idea he was saying those things about me that night. I think it is disgusting and definitely not normal behavior for a 41-year-old man to speak about a lady like that, on Christmas no less. He’s watching me happily take pictures of the kids and talking behind my back. Calling me a “witch” and saying that my husband and I are “animals.” Not cool! Joe and I are trying really hard to fix this, why is he doing that? Why is he saying that? I think those are really mean words, and I’m really upset he feels that way.

Just for the record, I have done nothing to hurt Joe Giudice or his family. I have no idea what his problem is with me. Joe and I were really taken aback by his comments.

It’s funny how my Joe says in his interview that he always hears how the Giudices and Joe talk behind our back and then Joe Giudice goes and proves it. He says who would want to be her, well Joe Giudice, I happen to be very grateful for everything in my life and I think I live a great life, so please stop analyzing it and just worry about your own. He is Antonia’s godfather, I chose him over my other brother-in-laws, shame on him. I see he says something really nasty in the preview for next week’s episode and it makes me sick. I hope Teresa puts him in his place like she always tells her brother to do.

With that said, I really hope we can stay as happy as we all are right now, because I’m really loving this and Joe and the kids are so happy. Time will tell.

When Caroline was at the radio station and Chris called in it was very real. I’m sure Jacqueline and Chris aren’t the only ones in this situation either. It’s hard for all of them, Ashley, Jacqueline, and Chris. I do think Ashley is a bit misunderstood and do see a really good girl inside her. Deep down she knows how amazing Chris is to her, but she loves her daddy. Can you blame her? Daddies can do no wrong in their daughter’s eyes. It’s just the way it is. I feel that she loves Chris just as much, but maybe sometimes feels guilty for it. When she gets older she is going to love having two! Chris has such amazing patience with her and really treats her as if she is his own daughter. It’s so clear how good he is to her, and she knows it too! Jacqueline is lucky to have found such an amazing man to help her raise her daughter, other step dads should take note. This is how you do it!

Also, it was great to see the Manzo’s Christmas. We all have so much food! And how adorable are Jacqueline’s boys? What little cutie pies… they are shy, but when they pop their little faces how cute!

Finally, I wanted to clear up all those nanny rumors out there. I read in more than one place that I have two nannies, a live in maid, and a cook…. Not true! You saw Silvina, who was our au pair for six months on the show. She was here from Argentina going to school and babysitting for me whenever I needed her to. She is so beautiful, I actually can’t believe I let a young girl that beautiful live in my house ( that’s so not like me)! She was so sad that night because she missed her family… It was going to be her first Christmas without them. I brought her with us because I didn’t want her to be alone. We treated her like she was our teenage daughter. We loved her. She went back to Argentina about four months ago and we haven’t had another nanny since. I do the cooking and cleaning in my house just like the rest of the world. So it’s not true that I have an army of help.

I am getting so many questions about Antonia’s Santa tutu. How cute was that? I also got a lot of questions about my outfit on Christmas, so I posted a link for everyone with pictures (thanks to my incredible photographer) from my Christmas party on my website.

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!!

Xoxo,

Melissa

All I Want for Christmas

Melissa feels lucky to have such a wonderful husband (and reveals her favorite holiday CD).
Aug 3, 2011

Hi everyone! Hope you are having a great summer. I had the best weekend down on the shore with my family. What a great time!

Is this the longest Christmas ever? Geez! I feel like we have been watching Christmas forever. But who doesn’t love it, so I guess there can never be too much.

So back to Christmas Eve at Teresa’s house. Like I said before, what a wonderful time the kids had, I loved watching them together. Joe and I wanted to do the right thing and make sure we went to both Teresa and Kathy’s houses. It was only right. Kathy had asked us when we had no plans for Christmas Eve and of course we said yes.

We always go to Joe’s family on Christmas Eve and my family on Christmas day. I do know Kathy had every intention of inviting Teresa too. That’s why she kept persisting on talking to her at my party. Teresa just isn’t ready I guess.

I wish instead of pulling her brother aside and talking about the couple hours we were not going to spend there, she would have just cherished all the hours that we were there and be happy that we are all taking the steps to work this out. Her parents were happy, the kids were happy, and we all really enjoyed each other’s company. Why always look for the negative? What about all the good that just happened?

I felt bad for my husband because he was put on the spot, but he’s a big boy and he handled it the right way. Of course Antonia didn’t want to leave her cousins, but when she got to Kathy’s house she was very happy to play with her other cousins Victoria and Joey! They treat her like a little doll, she had the best time at both houses!

Kathy’s Christmas Eve dinner was amazing. Did you see that fish from the Brownstone? It was so great. I know you saw the desserts, she is the desert queen! I officially crown her that!

OK, so now it’s Christmas morning! I loved how they showed the front of all our houses and we were all saying Merry Christmas. So cute! I love Christmas morning. You couldn’t hear it, but I had my Mariah Carey Christmas CD blasting, just like every year. It’s my favorite! My babies were so happy, and I thank God every day for the Christmas Joe and I are able to give them. They are very lucky, and I remind them of that every year! They always get more than they could ever ask for, and the smile on their faces just makes me melt. I love them more than words can say.

Joe is such an incredible father and husband, and I am a very lucky girl! He knows me so well, everything he picked out I loved! He’s the best. The fact that he built me such a beautiful studio because he wants to help me reach my dream just shows what an unselfish, loving person he is. I love the studio, it is more than I could have ever asked for. I have definitely been putting that studio to use and I am so excited that I can FINALLY share with you what I’ve been working on. Check out my website for the release date of On Display! And I am still working on getting that blinged out microphone. I have to have it!

The Manzos and Lauritas had such a beautiful Christmas. I loved how Caroline wasn’t dressed up and looked like she worked so hard all day! You can actually tell she really did cook all day and got her hands dirty in the kitchen! It’s obvious she wanted to make a beautiful night for her family. She’s a good mamma! There tree was beautiful and the food looked delish! They always look like they have such a great time, and I would join them for Christmas any day. I loved the aunt! She was hysterical!

When Albert gave Caroline that ring, I teared up a bit. It was so beautiful! After being together for all those years she deserves it! Way to go, Albert! A big beautiful ring and he got on his knee. It was adorable and real, you can see the love there! God bless them, I wish them many more happy years together.

Jacqueline’s boys were so cute on Christmas morning. They got so much stuff too! They were adorable riding in their new cars and trains. I want to squeeze Nicholas’ cheeks! What a cutie! I loved watching Ashley kiss her little brothers and take pictures of them… she loves them so much. I feel bad for Jacqueline and Ashley that they have to go through these hard years on camera. It’s a phase, and it too shall pass. You can see the love between them. Maybe Ashley doesn’t always show it, but it is clear to me that she is a good girl. I think she just has her priorities confused right now. As she gets older she will snap out of this. She’s a beautiful girl like her mamma, and she is very talented.

I felt so bad for Gia on Christmas morning, she still took her picture though! The girls were so cute running around and opening their presents. I’m happy that Joe and Teresa are in a good place and can give their children everything they ask for. Things have a way of looking up, and I think it’s starting to happen for them now. A couple of weeks ago they were dining on the floor and now she has a huge dinning room table big enough for twenty people! God bless them that they are able to turn everything around and have a special day for their kids.

I have to admit it is really hard to watch our families enjoying Christmas and then have to hear Joe Guidice continue to make nasty comments about me.

Next week you’re going to see a play date between Teresa and I and New Year’s Eve! We partied all night at the Brownstone!

OK, I guess it’s time for me to I hop on my broom and fly away! LOL.

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo,

Melissa

Mending Fences

Melissa talks about trying to get Teresa and Kathy back on better terms.
Aug 10, 2011

Hi everyone! I had another great weekend down on the shore with Joe and the kids. This week has been crazy busy, and I am sorry I am just sitting down to write to everyone!

OK, we are almost through the holidays! It’s New Year’s Eve – a time for new beginnings! So in the spirit of new beginnings I decided to call Teresa for a play date, because I wanted to get the kids together since they hadn’t seen each other the entire Christmas break. I wanted to just forget about all the bad times we had over the past couple of years, spend time with Teresa and the kids, and just move on.

It is so selfish to let petty arguments get in the way of the kids being together so I made an effort. The play date was really awkward at times, but the kids had a great time, and to me that equals success!

Watching the episode, I can’t believe Teresa said I don’t cook! I cook! My husband gets a home-cooked meal five nights a week and happens to love my killer pork dish. I once made it for Teresa, Joe, and the kids when they came to my house for dinner, and no, my mother-in-law was not there. How convenient to not remember.

I do call my mother-in-law often for directions on how to make certain dishes that she makes, because she is an excellent cook and I make a mean sauce, but no one can do it better than Nona!

When we do Sunday pasta at Teresa’s house my mother-in-law cooks, so I don’t understand what the big deal is. Joe will tell you that I have to cook! LOL. He would never be happy with it any other way. Teresa knows this and knows her brother, I don’t get why she would say that.

I want to be in a better place with Teresa, and you can tell that I’m actually trying, but the constant jabs and negative comments play a big part in why our relationship unraveled in the first place.

When I told Teresa that I am pursuing my dream of recording an album, she completely dismisses me and says I guess anyone can sing these days. I wish she would just say, “That’s great, good luck with that,” rather than say she’s never heard me sing and try to put me on the spot to sing for her right then and there. I wasn’t going to sing for her so she could cut me down. She’s heard me sing before, so I don’t know why she was saying she didn’t. I remember when we were driving to my wedding shower, I sang in the car and I’ll never forget it, because the same song kept playing over and over! Anyway, I wanted to move on so I congratulated her on the new cookbook because I knew it was important to her. I’m glad that she is leveraging being on the show to make opportunities for herself.

However, after Teresa said that my Joe built the recording studio to make money, it was hard to remain positive. My husband is a good guy who loves his wife and he is about the dream not the money. Joe has always been a hard worker and always will be. He built the studio in our basement so that I could be at home with the kids, who are always my first priority. After I put them to bed, I go downstairs and have some time for myself in the studio. I am a very hands on mom, and that’s why Joe put in the studio in the house so that I could do both.

I don’t know why Teresa questions my skills as a mother and a wife. I think you can see that we live in a happy home and that my kids and my husband come first always!

At the play date I was just hoping that Teresa and I could have a little bit more normal conversation, but things have been so bad between us for so long that I don’t know what normal is for us anymore. Sometimes it just seems so stressful and difficult to be together. I wish it would get to the point where it could be easy, and that’s why I’m trying to pick my battles. It’s honestly exhausting to carry on this way and we have been at it for years! One thing about Italians, we love hard and we fight hard, but come on, this is just too much.

I never said a word to Teresa about her negativity on the play date; I just ignored it and honestly I should have just called her out on it right then and there. I can see where I have made mistakes, and believe me, I’m probably not done making them, but I really hope that one day she will stop saying that she just tells it how it is and see that sometimes you need to think about the other person for a moment. You can be queen 99 percent of the time, but it is OK for people around you, especially family, to do something that makes them happy and to try to be successful too.

You see me try to mend the fence between Teresa and Kathy. I know I should stay out of it, but if family doesn’t try to help get us all back together, who else will? We all used to have the best time together and honestly, I don’t think they really remember why they were mad in the first place. Its New Year’s… just stop already! There is so much fun to be had with all of us, and that is why I had the idea to go to Cancun together. We used to go all the time and it was a blast! Yes, the digs were still being thrown back then, but for some reason it was just so much easier to ignore them.

I guess the more years I spent with Joe and the more children we had, I realized I wanted to be respected and started to fight back. But during the holidays, I made a promise to myself that I was going to try and not make a big issue out of it anymore. I’m no saint. It’s hard to ignore when someone is trying to constantly cut you down and make you feel inferior to them, but there is love there as well, and I don’t want to lose sight of it.

OK enough about the drama. How great were Ashley’s drawings? She really is talented, and if she puts all of her energy into pursuing a career as an artist, I know she will go far.

New Year’s Eve was such a great time! Wow, the Brownstone did such a great job and I was so happy that Caroline invited us so we could all be together! It was obvious that everyone just wanted to have a good time and the Brownstone knows how to throw a party! Everyone looked gorgeous. It was so cute seeing Antonia and Milania dancing together all night. They are too adorable. Poor Gino and Joey were home sick with the flu, and we were extremely grateful to my mother for spending the night with them — she’s the best!

Aren’t you dying to know if we end up all going to Cancun together? We shall see!

I’m so excited that my song will be available on iTunes on Saturday the 13th! “On display, on display, on display!” Also I’m going to be performing at Beatstock 2011 on August 20th on Long Island!

I really do love you guys and thank you for all your support, you’re the best!

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo,

Melissa

Dreams Do Come True

Melissa shares her excitement about her single release.
Aug 15, 2011

Hi everyone! Wow, what an amazing week! I released On Display! So happy with the response so far. I love that you all are singing in your cars, running on your treadmills, singing around the house, and listening to my song! Wow! Dreams do come true! I’m beside myself about the whole thing! To have Ryan Seacrest do the world premiere was just more than I could have ever asked for. I love it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This was kind of a sad episode right? A lot of crying going on… I think so many people relate to us because we put it all out there. We show you guys what’s really going on. When my sisters stopped by and let me know that my father reached out to me with a medium, I was really in shock. My whole body got the chills and I couldn’t hold back the tears. I just could visualize his face and those were words that he would say, “Stay grounded.” Sorry I just lost it. I don’t usually believe in that kind of stuff, but something hit me inside, and I felt it was true. I know he’s jamming up there to On Display! Love him!

OK how beautiful is Lauren Manzo? She has amazing style and is a very talented make-up artist. She really is the whole package — beautiful inside and out. Lauren is such a warm and lovable person, and I think she’s perfect just the way she is. It was hard watching her tell Caroline that no matter how much weight she loses, she’ll never feel good about the way she looks. Watching Caroline cry made me cry. The way a mother loves her daughter is so special, it’s like we want to be hard on them, but we would do anything to fix whatever problem they have. We wish we could take it from them and give the problem to ourselves. There are a lot of mother daughter things going on in this episode.

Kathy had THE TALK with Victoria! I think she did it perfectly. The thing is I know Victoria, and she is one of the most mature and classy seventeen-year-old girls around. She’s like off the charts good! Really! I almost feel like Kathy doesn’t even need to have the talk with her, she is so level headed. She’s a good kid and watching this makes me think about when I will have to do this with Antonia… I hope never Rich is so funny, he makes me laugh. Typical over protective daddy! But who wouldn’t be? Victoria is a bombshell, and Rich just wants her to stay his pretty, blonde, baby girl! Wonder what’s going to happen when she actually gets a boy friend? To be continued…

Jacqueline and Ashley made me cry the most. My heart broke for Jacqueline. The sound of her voice trembling when she was crying was just too much for me. These two love each other so much, but it’s almost like Ashley treats her like a friend rather than a mother. I think it’s because she had her at a young age, and they probably were best friends at one time. But once they view you as a friend, it’s hard to get them back to the place where you’re the mom.

I thought it was nice of Ashley’s dad to surprise her and spend time together. What a strong group of adults to be able to all come together with their spouses for their daughter. That doesn’t happen in most divorced families. Ashley, I hope you realize you are so lucky to have them! I know these two will be able to get it together and be a team. Jacqueline really does have the patience of a saint, and you have to with a twenty-year-old daughter. It’s not easy, but I know they will get through this.

I will say the workout scene was hysterical! OMG I loved it! Caroline was going to puke; Lauren looked like she was going to pass out; Chris and Albie were bringing it, as was Jacqueline who was kind of scary with her kicks (now I know to never mess with her); and I think I saw Greg’s balls! Wonderful scene!

Teresa trying to get the girls to take pictures was pretty funny too! I know it can be so difficult to get little ones to take pictures! Their facial expressions were hilarious. Gia is always like, “Leave me alone!” LOL. Teresa trying to get her speech out was funny too, good times, good times!

Last but not least… I finally put that studio to work and recorded On Display — Yay! Thank you, Joe! I was so nervous to do it for the first time; recording in a studio is crazy. I’m used to singing in the shower! The studio is so different! Thank God I had great, patient producers to help me through the first time step-by-step. Now I’m a pro! LOL! I have four solid songs completed and can’t wait for you to hear the rest!

I am really happy with how On Display came out! It was my first, it was my baby. It will always have a special place in my heart! I wrote this song as a way to empower people. It’s not about me being a “celebrity.” It’s about being on display when you enter a new family, when you try something different, when you start a new job. You are on display and people are looking at you, waiting for you to fall, but you aren’t going to let them see you sweat. This track is meant to make you feel confident and make you want to dance! The beat on the remix is sick, and I jam to it all the time!

I’m so grateful for everything that is happening with my music, and I’m grateful that it even got this far. This is more than I ever could have ever dreamed of. I’m proud of it, and I hope you all enjoy it! Roll your windows down and sing, baby! Antonia and Gino know every word! It’s so cute! They love it. They request it in the car every time we get in. We blast it, even baby Joey bobs his head when it’s on. I love the original and the remix is just off the charts (if you ask me). Let me know what you think!

I’m so excited to be performing at Beatstock on Saturday in Long Island! It’s going to be a long week… I just flew in Cris Judd to work with me on the choreography! I hope you all can come out and see me! Here’s the link to On Display and the Remix on iTunes.

Thank you all for your support, it really means the world to me.

Check out my website, I posted photos from the amazing single release party Joe threw for me at Hudson Terrace with all of our friends and family.

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo,

Melissa

Going Deep

Melissa can’t even imagine how difficult Jacqueline’s struggle with Ashley must have been.
Aug 24, 2011

Hi, everyone!

Hope you are having a good week. I am catching up after an amazing but hectic week. I had my first big performance at Beatstock in Long Island this weekend. I was so excited to be performing at a concert that I attend every year as a fan. Preparing was definitely a challenge. I worked with one of the best choreographers I know, Cris Judd! He is amazing! The final performance was so great, and I can’t wait to do more shows. It was such a rush for me, I got off the stage and wanted to do it again! I loved every minute of it! Thank you for all of the positive emails and tweets about On Display. It means the world to me. Joe and I also celebrated our anniversary and Joe’s birthday this weekend! There was a lot going on, so it’s nice to have some time together at home with the family now.

This week’s episode was a mixed bag. Jacqueline, Jacqueline, Jacqueline… Stop making me cry, you break my heart. I know that things will work out for her and Ashley, but it is just so hard to see that right now. I can’t even put myself in her shoes and try to understand how she feels, because my daughter just turned six, but I can only imagine how painful it would be to not feel appreciated by her or feel like I was missing out on enjoying our life together. This is deep, deeper than all the petty drama you see on this show. This is very real and my heart goes out to them. I know Ashley will come around. She is very respectful to all other adults that are around her, so that tells me she’s not a bad kid, just a little lost with her mother. It will work out over time.

Kathy really tried to put her best foot forward and have everyone come to the goddess party! What a great theme! When Kathy hosts a party she pays attention to all the little details. She really tried to get us together and make it special for all of us. It was really sweet of her to give each of us a goddess bracelet. I loved the way she took the time out to tell each and every one of us how we are special. That was really cute and that little gesture goes a long way! Lets not forget about the food… everything was displayed so beautifully and tasted amazing! You go, Kathy! Great job!

OK so let’s talk about my shirt! Umm, hello, it’s a goddess party with a bunch of girl friends, I thought it was a perfect choice! Kathy asked us to dress the theme. I see I was the only one to actually run with it! OK, Rich with the holy water was a little too much, easy there killer! Mending the relationship with our families is a work in progress.

I vented to Kathy about the play date that Teresa and I had, because I didn’t want to vent to my husband and I had to get it off my chest. I told Kathy the whole story including how Teresa reacted to seeing the studio and hearing that I was recording a song. I did everything I could that day to bite my tongue and not say a word to Teresa when she was at my house.

Kathy is my friend and I tell her everything. Doesn’t everyone vent to their friends? You can clearly see there is still some tension between Teresa and I at Kathy’s party, but baby steps is all we can take. In the end we all appreciated being together and had a good time.

My goddess shirt was from www.poshboutiquenj.com

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo,

Melissa

Everybody Hurts

Melissa gives her take on all the family drama from the past two episodes.
Sep 12, 2011

Hi everyone,

First I want to send my prayers and thoughts to all the families that are devastated by 9/11. I can’t even begin to comprehend how difficult these past ten years have been, but it’s incredible to see how united everyone is and it really puts things into perspective on how precious life really is.

We were all away during the last episode so I didn’t get a chance to blog. I can’t believe how much damage Hurricane Irene created throughout New Jersey and the east coast. Roads are still closed in my town. I hope that everyone’s friends and family are safe.

I’m going to touch on the previous episode briefly because much of what happens in this episode between Joe Giudice and my husband stems from that episode. You have to understand that the problem that exists between our families is deep, and we still haven’t been able to get past it or agree on what the problem actually is.

Teresa and I will always support our husbands and they will support their wives. When there is tension between any of us, it tends to build up and boil over like you’ve seen over the entire season.

What I hope you understand is that this has been happening for years, way before the Housewives. The tension between the Joes has been around before I entered the picture, but I guess it’s easier for Teresa to point the finger at me because she doesn’t want to blame her husband or her only brother, which I can understand.

The book signing was sad. Joe Giudice was upset that we were going to Teresa’s book signing and let my husband know over a text message. He felt like it was just for show.

I want to clear up why we were at the book signing for the first time. We never knew she was writing a book in the first place until we heard about it in the press. She was doing many book signings and I think her brother was a little insulted that she never called us and told us about one. Maybe she thought we should look her up on Facebook and show up at one, but Joe wanted it to be more personal for him because he is her only brother. I don’t know who is right, I know how I would do it with my family, but everyone is different.

What I do know is that I felt horrible for both of them during that book signing. It was so sad to watch, and it really does break my heart. I get so uncomfortable in these situations. I know how bad my husband is hurting from this, and I see the hurt in Teresa’s eyes as well. It might seem like I stick up for Joe a lot, but It’s because I love him, and when I married him I told him I’d stand by him until the end. I do love Teresa too, and I never want to see her cry like that again.

Joe wanted to tell Teresa about what her husband was texting and saying about him because the tension between them is what’s continuing to cause the problems with his relationship with his sister.

I don’t understand how Teresa can sit at a table with her husband after the book signing and blame it on me, when it is clear as day her husband caused the tension and by no means wants us to be a family. That is not playing fair. I don’t deserve the blame when the family has had issues way before I even came around.

Yes, I do argue with Teresa and it does make me resent her sometimes. It’s like she will never say she is wrong. She won’t put it on her brother and definitely not her husband so I guess I have to take the blame.

It was just so unsettling to see a grown man drunk at a dinner party, doing summersaults, chipping his tooth, yelling at his wife in front of people, and calling another family that he barely knows white trash. Let’s not even go there and mention the R-word. Who’s white trash? I’m sorry, but that’s just wrong and week after week you see how he antagonizes my husband and says hurtful things about me.

On to this week’s episode… Let me start off by saying the phone call between Teresa and I gave me a headache as well. I thought she was just calling to say hi and somewhere in the conversation I just lost it. I think it was when she brought up the christening. I thought we had moved past that, and I didn’t want her to rehash the past. Once she brought it up, that’s when I said that I thought her husband picked up my son at the christening and was doing it for show. I said that because Joe Giudice was saying my Joe was going to the book signing for show. Then she said I bring up the past, when she brought up the christening first… AND here we go again. We just keep falling into the same trap and neither side backs down. It got a little heated for a second, but I was over it as soon as I hung up the phone. I just would never want another child’s day to be ruined over grown adults that cannot get along. I wanted to make sure we all made the right decision about the birthday party and knew deep down that Joe and I would never let what Joe Giudice says or does keep us away from our niece. We love her so much, besides the fact that she’s Antonia’s best friend!

Happy Birthday, Miliania! I love her and she is such a character! I know the party got a little sad with Gia, but as horrible as it may have felt, I think we needed that. I was broken hearted for her. If my daughter was ever upset that way and I was seeing this at home, you couldn’t get me to fight with my sister-in-law no matter how hard you tried. I have a weak spot for children. I know everyone does, but I can’t see them hurt or in pain. That did it for me. Let’s fix this, NOW! Life is too short, we have incredible lives, incredible kids, and incredible families, let’s just enjoy each other. Enough is enough.

OK, on a lighter note… By now you know that we all like to have a good time. Yes, there is drama, but for the most part we all really enjoy each other’s company. Point in case, the charity walk was absolutely hilarious. We all had such a great time and fabulous outfits! I’m not going to lie; I walked the whole time with Caroline! We are such cheaters! Kathy won! She’s an excellent runner and props to Rich, Teresa, and Joe for finishing the entire race.

I have to talk about my obsession with Greg. I LOVE him! He is so much fun. We just clicked from the very first day we met. We definitely get each other and he had me at hello! I love Albie and Chris also. They are so sweet and funny. They are definitely stand-up boys with good heads on their shoulders. The BLK Water they have created with Chris Laurita is such an incredible idea. The water is amazing, and I know they will go far with it! I have a lot of respect for them. I’m glad they liked On Display. I wanted to play it for them because they are young, they go out a lot, and it is important for me to get feedback. I am really proud of the way my first song turned out, I’m not even going to lie, I still get chills when I put it on in my car because I can’t believe I actually did it.

Didn’t Joeboken look like fun! We had such a great time that night. Joe called me a beast! OMG I’m so embarrassed. He’s a beast don’t you think? I will agree that I’m a tiger! Like the lyrics say (I’m a fighter, I’m a tiger!). It’s true! But I’m a good tiger, trust me!

I am very blessed by the relationship that Joe and I have. I do cherish it and work really hard on keeping it that way. Marriage is never easy. It takes hard work and there is always upkeep for lack of a better word. We enjoy every day together. I love how Albie told us we are the best couple; those are the kind of compliments that mean the world to me. Lauren and Vito have also told us they love what Joe and I have and hope if they get married they will have the same! Everyone can have it, just marry someone you truly love, have fun together, work hard together, and respect each other! My rules to a happy marriage!

OK did you see Lauren and Vito practically making love with the mozzarella! The music playing was perfect! I was dying the whole time. They are a great couple and really enjoy spending time together. I think that Lauren is such a beautiful woman, but when she talks about herself without being optimistic, I get so mad. Stop that, Lauren! You are so beautiful inside and out, and your man loves you, at the end of the day that’s all that matters.

From seeing Richie’s party to our night out in “Joeboken” to the charity run (or should I say walk), I hope you can see that there are a lot of laughs and crazy times between all of our families. You see the good, the bad, and the scenes we wish we could take back, but we are living life the best we can and the ups and downs are real with any family, and I think people can relate to them. We take baby steps forward each day, and I can’t wait for guys to come on vacation with us to Punta Cana! It was so much fun and brought back a lot of good memories! Let us show you how Jersey rolls! See you next week!

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!!

Xoxo

Melissa

Ready for Some Ups

Melissa has had enough fighting and is hoping for some good times.
Sep 20, 2011

Hi everyone! Hope you are enjoying this amazing fall weather! This is my favorite time of the year, I love the fall. The air is so perfect, don’t you think? It’s funny, I’ve always said that October is my month. I don’t know why, but anything good that has ever happened for me happens in October. It has been that way my whole life. I met Joe in the month of October too, and he is the best thing that ever happened to me! It’s only a couple of weeks away, and I’m excited to see what this October will bring!

Do you love Punta Cana or what? It’s so beautiful there! I love it because it’s only a four hour plane ride from New Jersey and the weather is always amazing. That was my fifth time there with Joe. We go every year. When I first met Joe, we went twice with Teresa and Joe and Kathy and Richie. We had a blast. I loved every minute of it and spending time with his family. I was new to the crowd so I enjoyed getting to know everyone. What a great time we always had there together! The six of us! I know it’s hard to believe now, but trust me, we all used to enjoy each other’s company very much.

I will say I do still enjoy everyone’s company when we are on vacation. That’s why I came up with the idea to have everyone go back to Punta Cana together, it can’t hurt right? Maybe we just all need to get out of Jersey and remember how much fun we all used to have together. We really have a great time together when we don’t discuss ridiculous things that don’t really matter anyway! Families go through ups and downs all the time, and I think we have had enough downs lately. I’m ready for some ups.

I really had a great time bonding with the Manzos and Lauritas, they are both great families! They are very down to earth, easy going, straight forward people. That’s what I look for in friends and in couples that Joe and I like to spend time with. It just makes life so much easier when you are with people who are like that. Poor Caroline had a booming migraine. I felt so bad for her, she missed a beautiful boat ride with her family. The kids kept mentioning how they felt bad that she missed it. It was sweet to see them thinking of their mother the whole day.

How can you not love Greg? He is so funny, the things he comes out with are not planned, they just roll right off his tongue. He is harmless and he makes me laugh. We enjoy a lot of the same things, we just get along really well. He might be the only person I know who loves music more than I do! He’s hilarious and he’s a great friend to the Manzo family. Everyone loves when Greg is around! I enjoy people that love life and just want to have a good time.

Speaking of a good time, is my husband nuts or what? He does some of the most crazy things, but to tell you the truth, that’s the reason I fell in love with him! We have so many laughs together, and I think the initial perception of us was wrong. We truly are very happy and love when people are together and having a good time. Honestly, I just don’t see a reason to fight anymore. I think we all need to forget about the past and just move on.

I’m excited for you all to see next week’s episode. It’s the launch party for BLK Water and my very first performance of On Display! I was extremely nervous about this, I haven’t seen it yet either, so I can’t wait to watch it!

Here’s the link to On Display on iTunes: http://bit.ly/ondisplay. My favorite version is still the Arkatone radio remix!

I also posted a new blog on my website with all the fashions I was wearing in this episode. I got so many tweets about it last night I couldn’t answer everyone, so here you go!

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata and happy shopping!

Xoxo

Melissa

Joe ‘On Display’

Melissa is still mortified about Joe’s full frontal scene.
Oct 3, 2011

Hi, everyone! Missed you guys last week! I can’t believe we are almost done and the finale is next is week! It’s been a long and crazy ride, and I hope you’re starting to feel like you got to know me and our family a little bit better now. Joe and I have really loved getting to know you all and reading all of your comments, we listen to you guys, we take your advice, and we love you all!

Tonight’s show was packed with so many funny scenes and a lot of good memories! Punta Cana turned out to be such a blast! We really did have a great time there. The weather was beautiful every day, the water was warm, and the sun felt good! Joe and I usually go on one vacation together with no kids every year and then we go somewhere else the next time with the kids. It’s the best way to enjoy some couple time. OK so maybe this time we brought a couple of cameras with us, but we just pretend they are not there! I know you’re probably thinking what is up with Joe and all the nudity and sex talk! Can you believe he was naked on national TV? I can’t! I have to still bring my child to school tomorrow and to dance and gymnastics. OMG, the moms and teachers are going to think we are nuts!

Joe doesn’t have a shy bone in his body. I was really in the shower minding my own business and he just decides to jump in. Honestly I had no idea the camera men were there yet, I jumped out of the shower and was like no way! Then Joe proceeds to walk out of the showers perfectly in line with camera lens. I wanted to die. I was in shock! Just goes to show you, the cameras are there all the time!

I really enjoyed spending time together with Teresa and Joe and Kathy and Rich, it was like old times. When we get along and don’t discuss all the BS, everything is great! We all laugh at each other and we are a pretty crazy group!

I really feel like this vacation was when I fell in love with the Manzos and Lauritas. I knew I liked them, but now I know I love them. They are incredible people and we all just work really well together. I never understood when people don’t believe in the more the merrier! That’s always been my motto, stop worrying about all the foolish nonsense and just enjoy each other and enjoy life. There is so much to be thankful for and so much to enjoy. I planned this vacation, and I do feel it was overall very successful. I’m happy we went!

The BLK launch party was so amazing! What a great night! We all had so much fun together. The Manzo boys did such a great job planning it and the water really is unbelievable. I want to thank Albie and Chris once again for asking me to perform that night. They are about to start this long journey with an incredible product, and I wish them all the success in the world. They worked hard for this.

Well?! What did you think of my first performance? ON DISPLAY! ON DISPLAY! ON DISPLAY! I was so nervous at the dance rehearsals and the sound check. I couldn’t even believe how nervous I was. I needed to get this first one under my belt so I didn’t feel this way anymore! I knew this is something I wanted my whole life, but couldn’t believe how terrified I was to actually do it. Did you see me shoveling food down my throat before I went on? You can clearly see how nervous I am when I was praying. I want you all to know that I am a very spirtiual person, and whenever I do anything in my life that I am grateful for, including my song, I thank God for all my opportunities. I really do wish my father could have been there with his video camera to tape it. I am really proud of On Display. It was my first song and it is my baby.

I want to give you a little background on why I wrote that song. It’s not because I’m on a reality TV show, actually I wrote the song before the cameras were ever rolling. I wrote On Display because I wanted people to be able to relate to it. I feel like everyone is ‘On Display’ at some point in their day-to-day life. When you start a new job, when you marry into a new family, when you go to a new school, if and when you have to tell your loved ones that you’re gay — you are ‘On Display’ each and every time. Many times I have found myself in these situations. I know how it feels, and I know that there are people out there that want to see you fall and don’t want you to make it, but this song is about empowerment and believing in yourself! They can just keep on waiting on you, waiting on you, waiting on you! I can’t wait for you to hear the other songs that I have written and recorded, especially the ballad to my husband. My voice is getting stronger and stronger and I am learning how to use it better than ever. I think you’re really going to love what’s to come!

It felt so amazing on the stage that night. The moment I got out there all my nerves went away and I loved every minute of it! And yes, I did sing live over the track. This is a dance song with heavy choreography, and that is what most artists do.

I have to admit hearing Joe Giudice finally say something nice was a little bit of a shock, but it was real, and I appreciate him saying it. It does take a lot of courage to put yourself out there in front of all of those people, especially for the first time.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been so positive with me and sticking through until the end, I can’t explain how much I really do love you guys! Of course I have to thank the one person who is my constant support — my husband, Joe. He is my rock and has been with me every step of the way. I feel so blessed to have him in my life. He’s such an amazing father, and we have so much fun together. Without him none of this would have been possible.

Finally, I know there have been a lot of rumors this week in the press. Rumors that make me sick to my stomach. As we are filming Season 4 and I can’t give too much away, I tried to clear some of them up in my latest blog post on my website. You will see what really went down in Season 4, so you can decide for yourselves, but I needed to set the record straight, because I can’t stand when people lie. I appreciate all of your emails and tweets. Your support means the world to me and my family!

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!

Xoxo,

Melissa

A Work in Progress

Melissa is just thankful for how far things have come between the Gorgas and the Giudices.
Oct 12, 2011

Hello again! How is everyone? Sorry it’s taken me so long to sit down and write to you, but the weather has been so beautiful in Jersey that I’ve been taking full advantage and playing with the kids outside! Can you believe this Indian Summer? Well it’s October, so it’s that time of the year that we start to eat a lot again! I just started with a new trainer so I can eat everything and then work out! I absolutely love October! It’s my favorite month!

So here we are at the end. Can’t believe it! Will you miss us? I will miss you and all your wonderful comments and well wishes. Thank you so much for an amazing first season. It was a little rough in the beginning, but I held in there and knew my true colors would show. It’s amazing to see how Joe and his family went a complete 180 from the first episode to the last. Thank you, Jesus! That makes me happier than you know. That’s all he ever wanted, that’s all he was looking for.

The season finale was really about family. It was so beautiful to see Kathy and Victoria. The love she has for her children is incredible. And Rich with Victoria’s date was hysterical! Then you see how Jacqueline and her family come together and support Ashley. They will do anything to help her find happiness. And the Manzo clan is always a strong unit that supports and loves each other.

I was happy we got to see the Gorgas and the Giudices come together as a family in this episode as well. We are a work in progress, but there is love at the root, and I will always try to keep us on the right path.

When the stylist, Meital, was at my house she was styling me for another performance not the family picture. Obviously I would never wear any of those outfits to the family picture! She owns Reve Boutique in Englewood, NJ. All the Housewives shop at her store, every single one of us! I’ve been going to her for about eight years now. So she threw me off a little when she said that Teresa told her not to dress me or to style me, but I didn’t make a big deal of it, I just ignored it. I have never approached Teresa on any of this, I never asked her why. I try not to argue about the things that are not going to hurt my life or my family.

I went to Teresa’s house that night for the family picture and didn’t say a word. It’s petty and I just wanted to wipe the slate clean. Did you see us all together at that family picture? It came out so beautiful, and that was such a great night! I felt complete inside and so did Joe!

Those children are so innocent and so special and so beautiful, each and every one of them! My mother-in-law and father-in-law should be so proud of their seven healthy, beautiful grandchildren! And they both have one named after them (Antonia and Gino). What could be better? I just don’t see how anything else could matter, I am so ready to put all the pettiness behind us and all the hurt feelings. Let’s start fresh.

Let’s enjoy each other, and let the kids enjoy each other, before we know it they will be in high school. Why hurt one another, what does it get you?

So lets talk about the cookbook! Ugh! Why? Everything was so perfect! Each and everyone of us were in a good spot! Kathy, Caroline, Teresa, Jacqueline and I! Finally we could all just be together and have fun. I didn’t make a big deal about it, I really think it’s childish and kind of stupid. It just doesn’t fit, it doesn’t make sense. Everything was so good between us, why take that risk on messing things up again?

For one thing, I definitely don’t copy off of Teresa and I don’t have chairs on my front porch, so I really just don’t get it. I decided not to make a big deal about it and not to tell my husband. Obviously he did find out about it, but not through me. I’m not going to let something this ridiculous start problems for us again. Even still, I don’t think it is cool to write about your brother’s wife negatively in a family cookbook. Those are his parents’ recipes too.

As far as Caroline goes, I think those words were insulting to her good friend. Funny? Not so much. Again, I still don’t get it, that is your good friend who has backed you up for years, why insult her and her family? I bet you the cookbook would have sold just as well without it. Well, maybe not, seeing as we are all writing about it and it’s now huge news. LOL! OK so it worked, but now she lost a friend. It’s sad, I hate to see them like this. I just wish she would have asked someone, anyone, for advice before she put it in the book and asked if she should do it or not. And if she did, I’m sure she asked the people who are getting a cut of the sales, because anyone who really loved her would have told her not to do it.

One thing I want to clear up is in the final credits it says that in April I had a party for Joey’s first birthday and Teresa never showed. I didn’t have a huge party, I had cake with our parents and Teresa was absolutely invited. Little Joey wasn’t feeling well, so Teresa and I talked about how it wasn’t a good idea to have everyone over and possibly get her girls sick, so she said she would come over the next week to see him for his birthday and give him his present. She came over in September to see Joey and give him his gift.

To be honest, this show has brought us together and we spent more time as a family then we have in years. I will always back Teresa up or any of my friends and family when something is not true or misleading. Love it or hate it, I think it’s better to be straight forward.

The reunion is next week, and it’s going to blow your mind. A lot of your questions are going to be answered. It was a really long day, probably the longest day of my life. It was draining and hurtful and I hope I never have to do another one again like that, especially when things were so raw from the night before.

On a positive note, tune into Wendy Williams today! Caroline, Kathy, and I will be on We are also ringing the Stock Exchange Bell! How exciting! Joe is coming for that one!

The Best news yet is that On Display is in the top fifteen on iTunes right now! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you all for your support on this! I have the best people supporting me, good people, I can tell! Thank you! Here’s the link to On Display. Help me get it into the top ten! (I didn’t say a bad word to anyone on it either! LOL!)

The stylist Meital has a great website with incredible clothes on it! http://www.reveboutique.com

Check in with my website for my new schedule! Lots of dates coming up to meet you guys! I’m also getting lots of questions on my shoes and my outfit from WWHL! I tell you everything I’m wearing in my blog, so get to the website now!

I hope everyone has a magnifico giornata!!

Xoxo

Melissa

SEASON 4

Rumor Has It

Melissa reacts to Teresa’s comments that she would leave Joe for a richer man.
Apr 23, 2012

Hi lovers! We’re baaack! Miss us much? Well you’ve seen what we have done for the holidays, so now it’s time to see how we roll in the summer time. It’s a season with everything, trust me. Arguments, drama, love, tears, passion, fun, laughs, and a lot of skin!

You see in the very beginning scenes from last season, with Teresa and I hugging and telling each other that we love one another.

When I talk it out and forgive and let something go, I truly mean it. I threw in the towel that day and was ready to enjoy her company, not just co-exist. I was done with all the petty games and nonsense, and Teresa said she was too. So with that in mind, yes, I was a little confused when the book came out and she threw a dig at me.

At the end of Season 3, the book wasn’t done yet because the night we took the family picture she was passing around pages and pictures trying to decide which ones to put in the book. Once we started filming Season 4 the book came out and there was the dig. I was a little taken aback, because I thought we decided not to go down that road, but I decided to let this pass and not make a big deal of it.

So here we are with Season 4, the cookbook obviously being a focal point because it upset people. I didn’t tell my husband because everyone was starting to come together and I didn’t want to take a chance and ruin it. It just seemed a little petty and childish. Was I aggravated? YES! Was I going to do anything about it? NO!

At Kathy’s BBQ they start talking about the book and it cuts to Kathy saying, “Teresa always says family is everything, Prove it.” It just gets you thinking and wondering why Teresa would even go there.

I will say it was interesting to watch Caroline and Teresa talk outside of Jacqueline’s house, because when Caroline brings up the dig about me, Teresa says in a very matter of fact way, “If the shoe fits!” Why? We’ve come so far. The last time we left off everything was moving in the right direction.

It does make me think maybe Teresa had no intention of moving on and was just being nice for the cameras.

This seems to be the case as we are packing for the weekend and Joe tells me his sister said to him that, “I would leave him for a richer man.” I wish he never told me. Why would she ever say something like that, it’s another dig, but to him this time. What is she trying to say, I only love him for the money? Oh, because he’s not handsome, charming, or sexy? He’s not an amazing husband and father? Money is all he has going for him? I don’t think so.

I have been married for almost eight years now, I have three beautiful children with this man. I’ve never heard her say anything like this until we joined this show. It’s almost like she is planting a seed for everyone to believe. Or even for her brother to believe.

She knows Joe and I have had times when we couldn’t even buy diapers, and that’s when I stood by him stronger than ever. What if Joe listened to her and came home yelling and arguing with me in front of my kids, is that what she wanted? Leave him for a richer man? Really? Come on, evidently I have no idea what I was dealing with here, but I do think it’s very clear to everyone what she is trying to do, so I’m not going to get into it that much. I think watching me and Joe it’s quite obvious how we feel about each other.

We had plans to go down the shore and meet up with Teresa and Kathy on the beach with the kids. Once again I decided I was going to let it go. It doesn’t affect our marriage because it has no truth so I wasn’t going to ruin this for my kids or Joe, because we were all supposed to have a nice weekend together. I really am trying to forget about it. Was it easy? Of course not, but I try like hell to keep it from bothering me.

Well I’m glad I did! How beautiful do all the kids look with a little tan and those bikinis on! OMG, one thing there is no denying, we all are so blessed with such beautiful children! Thank you, Jesus! The kids were having such a great time and the weather was perfect.

I don’t want to speak for my husband as he addresses his issues directly with Teresa. I think part of the reason he wanted to talk to Teresa that day at the beach was because of what she said about me and because he was really bothered by the article she put out saying he wouldn’t be there for her. I know for a fact that he has been there for her many times over. Once again it’s almost like she is planting a seed for everyone to believe.

Joe has called Teresa many times when other things were going on in her life, and she has brushed him off every time saying everything is fine, why are you asking me this? It’s almost like she was mad at him for prying into her business. She felt he was throwing it in her face when he would ask what he could do, so Joe was always confused when he read something in the magazines or he heard that something happened. I felt bad for him because he was always damned if he did and damned if he didn’t. There was no way to win. This particular time they are talking about, I texted her and said, “Is everything OK? Do you need anything?” Also not wanting her to think I was prying, but letting her know I was reaching out. I figured she would be more comfortable if I texted instead of called. She responded saying everything was fine and I said, “Oh good. That’s great, let me know if you need anything,” and she said thanks. Done, we left it at that.

Why go to the magazine and allow them to slam her brother? Again I can’t stop thinking about the family picture and dinner that night, when I thought we were done with this. When Joe reminds her of the time she did call him and he was there four hours later with exactly what she needed, it almost looks like she gets steamed that he was able to say he did that. She wants everyone to know the wrong he did without telling anyone all the good he has done for her and her children, and trust me when I say that was not the only time. He saw her get upset, so he didn’t say the rest. It’s like she doesn’t want anyone to know we do support her.

When Joe confronted Teresa on what she said about me, she once again had no excuse and said, “I heard rumors.”

We hear rumors all the time, but don’t go to Teresa or her husband and ask if they are true.

It’s ridiculous that Teresa is upset that Joe said something to me. I am his wife and in no way is it right to say something like that to your brother about his wife and expect him to just live with it. If it’s just rumors, why put that in your brother’s head?

Also, what I’m really wondering is if she’s suddenly going to come up with some kind of rumor to get herself out of this so that she has an excuse. When we were filming then, I hadn’t had performances or appearances yet and every appearance or performance I have done since Joe has attended. He’s my husband and my best friend. We enjoy each other’s company, is that a crime? Can’t wait to hear more about these rumors… I wonder how RICH this new man will be?

OK, enough with that. As the season goes on, you see how we did let it go and decided to move forward and keep trying to just enjoy being together and have his sister and her family in our life. Definitely baby steps, but we do make progress.

I have to say, this season is going to be fun. There are ups and downs, but the good part is just summer in Jersey, baby!

I love the Jersey Shore, who needs the Hamptons? You will get to see our shore house finished during the season; I promise we didn’t make the kids swim in a green pool! Joe and I bought that house the first year we got married. I was pregnant with Antonia and most of my family is down there, so we thought it would be great to have a spot to go to for the weekends. We bought a small house that is in the best location. It’s right on the bay, ten minutes from my mom and sisters and ten minutes from the boardwalk and beaches. Since Joe builds houses for a living, we decided to fix it up a little each year when we had some extra money. It only had two bedrooms, and with Gino and Joey now we are five people. It was getting tight for Joe! Although, because of the size of our house up north, I really enjoyed it and liked being on top of each other. It’s so cozy down there. I’m happy to say you will get to see all of Joe’s hard work as the season goes on. The house is finished now and it’s beautiful!

I can’t wait for you to see some of the good times (yes, there are good times) we have coming up this season. And finally I haven’t stopped pursuing the music. Next week you will see me record a ballad I wrote for Joe! It was definitely different than what I have done in the past, but I am very proud of how it came out and am excited for you to hear it!

Love ya,
Melissa

Like a Prayer
Monday, April 30, 2012 4:40 PM

Hi lovers!

This episode really lets you into our home lives and gives you a lot more of the men. But don’t you love them?! I mean come on, you have to admit that the Jersey men, love them or hate them, are the best! I think they are all so funny in their own ways. I really do laugh whenever any one of them is on the screen. They could probably pull the weight of their own show!

Speaking of the “men,” how cute is Joey Wakile? I love when he and Rich are standing at the gas station. He looks like he is not that interested, but doesn’t want to let down his father. He is such a doll. I guess the girls think so too, since they are sending him boobie pictures. OMG! I can’t even imagine when girls will do that to Gino and Joey! I won’t even know what to do! I think Kathy handled it like a pro, and I absolutely loved that scene.

This episode gave you a glimpse into what investments a lot of us are making and what is going on in our work lives. Words can’t even explain how proud I am of Joe. He’s a hard worker and never had anything handed to him.

I was lucky to have everything a kid could want growing up, and then when my father died I was only 17 years old, so I didn’t want to bother my mother for much because I knew she had to take care of herself now. My parents always made sure I knew what it is like to work for something and not get anything handed to you. I put myself through college with the help of my godfather and worked three jobs doing it. I was substitute teaching, working in a tanning salon, and bar tending one night a week.

Joe and I share a lot of the same values when it comes to our work ethic. I used to pray the same prayer every night before I found Joe. I would ask God to bless me with a man I was attracted too, one that was honest, one that was attracted to me, and he had to be a hard worker, not rich, but as hard as a worker as I am. Well God sent me Joe Gorga, and he hit the nail right on the head! He’s perfect! So single ladies, you need to try this and trust in God that he will too bring you exactly what you are looking for. (My dating advice for the day!)

I went to visit Joe at work with Gino and wanted to give him a collage of pictures I made for his office. I don’t get a lot of time to stop by and see him during the day, because I’m always with the kids and it gets a little crazy bringing them to construction sites.

When Joe was showing me that he now has one building for each of our children, I can’t explain how happy I am for him, for my children too, but especially for him. I know it makes him so proud that he did that all on his own and worked his butt off to do it. I am very proud of him, and I think I love him more and more as we get older.

I think a big misconception about me and Joe is that we got married and were just rich and had everything we could ever want. Not true. When I first met Joe and for the first few years we were married, he owned a landscaping company. We did well for two newlyweds in our 20s, but nothing like we are now. We worked for it together.

From the day we got engaged, Joe asked me to work in his office as his secretary and suggested not going into the school system to be a teacher. I had just graduated college and really wanted my own classroom. I did go to a teachers’ fair and got hired as a teacher, but after discussing it with Joe, I decided not to take the job and to work with him in his office. Joe felt like with me backing him up rather than have a stranger running things, we would make the business more successful. Well Joe was right. I worked in that office 9 to 5 Monday through Friday and did it. Even when Antonia was born, I used to bring her and all her toys to the office and I would work all day with her there. It wasn’t always easy.

There were times (like the one you heard me remind Joe of) that we couldn’t even buy diapers when Gino was first born. 2008 was definitely a hard year. We had invested in real estate and the market went sour. I’m sure everyone remembers that and is still feeling the effects of the economy. Joe and I are gamblers, and I mean that in a good way. We take chances and sometimes we win and sometimes we lose, but as long as we have our two hands and each other, we can always get back on top, and that’s what we did.

That’s why I wrote How Many Times. Every word in it describes my relationship with Joe. I worked really hard on it in the studio with Corte for a couple weeks and couldn’t wait for Joe to hear it. It was the second song I ever wrote, and I wanted to write it to him. I loved watching our dinner together. We are so lucky to be able to play off one another the way we do. We have a relationship that is hard to find, and I thank Jesus for it every day!

When I tell him I am living the life that I have always dreamed of, I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I’m in an incredible marriage with someone I love who is also my best friend. I have always wanted three children, and I have them. And not only do I have them, but they are all healthy and beautiful. The list goes on, but I’m just happy and proud of the life we have made together, and it was nice to be able to capture it in this song.

OK, I have to address the scenes that night at Jacqueline’s house when Teresa came in and apologized. I was happy that she was making an attempt to say that she was wrong. When I said, “We’ll take one for the team,” I meant exactly that. If she has to throw names and “jokes” in there to help the book sell, then so be it. I’m fine with it, happy to help, now let’s all move on.

Honestly, I’m so over the cookbook drama. It’s just old news now, and it didn’t really bother me in the first place. I supported Fabulicious, tweeted about it, and wish her the best of luck with this book and all of her cookbooks. If it bothered me, I wouldn’t have gone to her book signing and bought ten copies with Joe. That was never my issue with Teresa nor was the question of if she was supporting my music. I am not even sure why she is apologizing publicly for not supporting my music, when that was NEVER an issue.

The issue is what she says about my marriage and my loyalty to my husband. I have been clear about that, and you will see it addressed in next week’s episode.

Our show really is about family dynamics and one aspect that I think sets our cast apart is the relationships between the parents and children. This episode was heart breaking. Watching Lauren Manzo openly struggle with her weight is so tough to watch. She is so beautiful and talented, and it’s hard to see her go through these issues and to not see herself in a positive way.

Also watching Jacqueline and Ashley last night was a hard. You could tell that she was frustrated when Ashley had missed the plane. To me it’s obvious how much she loves her daughter, and I can’t imagine how hard it was for her to have someone else step in and try to help with Ashley.

I can see the frustration in both Jacqueline and Chris’s eyes. They are now trying tough love with her. I know it must not be easy, but it’s something they have to do. I sobbed at the end when they showed Ashley’s baby videos. My heart hurt for Jacqueline, and I can’t even imagine how difficult it must have been to have her go. There must be a feeling of guilt living inside of Jacqueline, and I don’t think it’s fair that she feels that way. She really has given Ashley so many chances and so much love and support. I really feel like this is the last straw and the last hope for them. I pray everything works out for them.

This week has been incredible. How Many Times reached #5 on the iTunes R&B charts in less than 24 hours. I love you all, and I can’t thank you enough for supporting me and my music. I have the most encouraging and gorgeous fans in the world! Thank you! Thank you! I really love this song and if you haven’t heard it, you can go to iTunes right now and get it: http://bit.ly/hmtdearjoe. Let me know what you think.

Until next week, check in on my website for all my appearances, pictures, and new blogs I post.

Xo
Melissa

The Vow
Tuesday, May 08, 2012 11:44 AM

Hi everyone!

Hope you all had an amazing weekend. Sorry for not writing sooner. My weekends have been busy, but I’m looking forward to some relaxing ones coming up. Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time to go down the shore! I can’t wait for you to see how much fun we have at our shore house in the summertime. It’s probably the only time work doesn’t happen for two days in a row and no cell phones!

So let’s get onto the episode. Ugh, I didn’t like watching this week. It was really hard to go back to that place. It puts a knot in my stomach that I can’t explain. As you can see I truly was pushed to my limit and the filter came off.

I was trying to put the issues between Teresa and I behind us, as I thought we both agreed to do, but I started to realize and now can definitely say after watching these past few episodes and reading her blogs that’s not at all what Teresa was trying to do.

I’m not going to deny what Teresa said to my husband bothered me, but on the night of the solstice party I had no intention to talk about anything negative. As soon as I got there I sat right at Teresa’s table and talked to her normally and wanted to again just have a good night. Obviously that isn’t what happened as I was summoned to Teresa not once but TWICE that night!

When I first went to talk to her, I thought it was going to be about what she said to her brother, but immediately when we started talking she brought up Joe Giudice “going away” and her brother not being there. She brought it up, she asked me to talk to her about it, and I simply was answering her question and used a word she didn’t like. And here came the storm!

Once again, I’m left there hanging because Super T decided she didn’t want to talk about a “legal subject” that she brought up in the first place and has spoken about publicly many times in the tabloids. OK, I get it, don’t use that word!

Back to the party I go trying to enjoy the rest of the night, only to be beckoned once again because Teresa wanted to talk about a different subject now according to Jacqueline. At this point I’m more than annoyed. It’s time to throw off the Louboutins and just get everything off my chest with her so we can just move on already. (Note to all my girlfriends, please don’t to attempt to push me this many times and think I will constantly forgive you. Please don’t think I’m a doormat. Teresa is family, therefore she gets many chances.) With that said, I don’t think I need to recap the whole argument, as you can take what you want to take away from it, but after watching this episode and what has transpired over the last few weeks, there are a couple points I want to make clear.

First, where did these rumors about my marriage with Joe start? That’s the million dollar question. When Teresa was hearing these so-called rumors the show had just started airing and I hadn’t even had a performance yet. What’s interesting is she didn’t bring up the fact that it had anything to do with my music until she was continually questioned about her reason for telling Joey these “rumors” in the first place. People weren’t buying her good, supportive sister act.

When Joey confronted her, she tries to put it on him and say that he tells her rumors about Joe, which is not true. My husband did not intentionally tell Teresa about her husband cheating. Those rumors have been around for years and in the same tabloids she gives interviews to and poses with her children. She even brings it up on camera with her husband in the first episode. Joe and I don’t say anything to Teresa about it, nor do we bring it up on camera or in the press.

Teresa even explains that she read her husband’s text messages and that her brother Joey was upset that she saw them, because that’s not what he intended. But again, when Teresa gets called out, she spins it perfectly by saying tell your husband not to tell me about my husband cheating.

Which is it Teresa, did your brother tell you about Joe cheating or did you read Joe’s text messages? I guess this is her way of justifying “these so called rumors.”

Here are some more ways. When she told Jacqueline at her house the night of the boat party and Jacqueline asked why she thinks that, she replied, “She just strikes me as that kind of person.” On the way to the solstice party she tells Kim D that “she hears things from people and wanted to open her brother’s eyes.” She told me that she heard from people saying that it was because I was going to start performing in the nightclubs.

I feel like Teresa is constantly looking for any reason she can to say I’m a bad wife. When she realizes no one is buying these “rumors,” she brings up a dinner we went to with Kathy, Richie, Teresa, Joe, me, and Joey for my 29th birthday. In last week’s blog she says it was when Joey and I were dating, but this dinner happened when I already had Antonia and Gino. During the dinner we were all teasing our men and joking around at the table. Teresa was teasing her husband about how she will always buy everything she wants, my husband starting teasing me saying you married me for (this) pointing to Tarzan! I said to him in front of everyone, (laughing), “Yeah right, I saw that house baby doll.” We were all playing as friends and family laughing and drinking. Even Kathy said that we were just playing around when Teresa tried to get her to back her up at the reunion. Is that all she’s got on me?

I honestly can’t help but feel that she is projecting the issues in her life onto mine.

After watching this episode, I think it’s extremely obvious what my sister-in-law is trying to do. The question is why would she do it?

Does she think that if my marriage goes badly hers will get better?

Does she think that if she puts the negative attention on me then it will not be on her? I’m not sure, but one thing I do know is that it is sad and it’s a shame.

I try to be pretty easy in a lot of my blogs and tip toe around Teresa, but this time she is playing with fire. I am woman who loves my husband more than anything in this world. I will bend over backwards for him and my children. She knows that and I think at times she wishes she had more on me. How about just being happy that your brother is happy?

You can throw dirt in my face a couple times and I will take it, but DON’T, mess with my family, DON’T mess with my children’s lives, and DON’T mess with my marriage. That is where I will NEVER back down.

To this day, Teresa is still trying to justify the rumors and still blames this whole situation on her brother Joey for not keeping their conversation private, but she honestly doesn’t understand that you don’t say something like that to a man about his wife and expect him to just live with it and keep it to himself. A marriage is a partnership and my husband and I tell each other everything, just like Teresa tells her husband everything. How does this blood is thicker than water notion apply to a husband and wife? We have three beautiful children together and are a family. It’s called respect, and I’m not sure Teresa ever will understand that she doesn’t have to like me, but she has to respect my marriage to her brother and keep her “rumors” to herself.

For the record, Joey comes to all of my appearances, not because he’s insecure like his sister says, it’s because we enjoy spending time together and having fun together. Again, that’s what a partnership is. Teresa knows this, but still wants to insinuate to her brother and her friends that I would leave him for a richer man.

Even after the paid tabloid apology for not supporting my music career, which I had to go to Shoprite to read, she is still trying to rationalize what she said in her blogs.

Teresa obviously hasn’t learned her lesson because in last week’s blog she continues to talk about the rumors she hears about my marriage. Nothing has changed with her, she is just better at getting others to do and say what she can’t so she looks innocent.

That might answer your question as to why we still aren’t speaking. She won’t let up and I don’t know how she can look at herself in the mirror at this point. This is her baby brother’s marriage. All I can do is pray for her, and when she is ready to let up, I will talk to her about it then without an audience.

In the meantime, we’ll keep sending our nieces presents, because we love them, and they can continue to throw them out.

And for those of you asking about how our relationship with Joe’s parents is going, let me give you the real answer instead what the ridiculous “sources” are saying on the blogs. Our relationship is great! We see them at least once a week for dinner at our house. I cook with my father-in-law, and Gino helps since he wants to be a cook now. Joe and his dad play cards for hours while my mother-in-law and I play with the kids. We don’t discuss Teresa or the show, we just choose to enjoy each other’s company, let the kids enjoy spending time with their grandparents, and have a nice meal together. And that’s that truth.

“Mommy and daddy. Mommy and daddy, that’s all we have,” Teresa pleaded to her brother. “You’re breaking mommy and daddy’s heart.”

“Don’t start me with that sh*t!” Joe Gorga screamed at Teresa. “That’s the worst thing you f*cking did to me. You understand? You took my parents away from me. My kids don’t even have grandparents because of you!”

- Season 4 Reunion Special

On a lighter note, watching Rosie babysit the cousins was the best! I swear I could watch the Jersey kids all day. They are definitely a handful, but they are so worth it! When I see Milania and Antonia together I just melt. They pay no attention to the cameras and have no idea they are even there. I was dying when I heard them talking about poop! You can’t help but love them. Rosie definitely looked like she needed a scotch and cig after a few hours with them!

And Lauren Manzo… please listen when we say you are beautiful and talented. I absolutely adore her. Sometimes girls going through their 20s are unsure of themselves, but soon enough she will see what a prize she is. Vito does! Lauren has beauty inside and out and she will definitely find her way. She already has an incredible beauty bar called CafFace open in Franklin Lakes that’s all hers! If you haven’t checked it out you should!

Finally, I wanted to thank all my loyal fans for supporting me this season and my music! How Many Times went to No. 4 last week on iTunes and broke the Top 100 songs chart! I can’t even believe it. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love this song and I can’t get enough of it! I really wrote it from my heart and I guess it shines through! Here is the link to iTunes if case you haven’t heard it yet: http://bit.ly/hmtdearjoe.

Xoxo,

Melissa

P.S. – I post a blog on my website each week with all the fashion and accessories that you see me wear each episode! I also have more appearances coming up and hope to meet you at one of them!

Watch Your Language
Monday, May 14, 2012 2:48 PM

First and foremost Happy Mother’s Day to all the gorgeous mommies out there! I hope you all enjoyed it with your beautiful families! There is nothing in the world like being a mommy. My children are the reason I hold my head up high every single day. I live and breathe them, and I thank Jesus for them every single day! Like I’ve said before, I was born to be a mommy, and I wouldn’t change a single thing about the life I’m living! I’m blessed and I know it.

On to the episode. And the saga continues… Well I have to say, this episode was very discouraging. I am and always have been that girl who is very optimistic. I give second changes, and I believe in wiping the slate clean and starting over, especially with family. I am known for that among my friends, my family, and everyone who truly knows Melissa Gorga. I think it’s obvious in this episode that it is not going to be that simple.

After Teresa and I argued at the solstice party, I got everything off my chest and I was just hoping I got through to her. Watching her recant the story to Joe, I clearly didn’t. This scene was hard for me to watch, and to be perfectly honest without sugar coating it, it was disgusting. I couldn’t help but sit back and think, “What happened to these people?” This is a man that Joe and I made the godfather of our first born child. To see him speak about me in this repulsive manner made me sick. Calling me a “tramp,” a “gold-digger,” and “horsy face” among other things on national TV. Is this man for real?

I just don’t understand how Teresa can sit there as her husband calls her family names. Kathy is a “frog face,” Rosie is a “butchie boy.” Joe Giudice has no limits, but what I find even more appalling is the fact that his wife laughs as he says hateful things, and the only time she stops him is when he calls her brother a “bitch.” Joe Giudice is lucky my father isn’t still alive. He would never tolerate the way he treats and talks about women.

During the scenes at Kathy’s BBQ, I was looking at my husband’s face watching the kids play and it made me tear up. I knew what he was thinking. He just wants everything to be normal and peaceful and have his nieces in his life. You could see it in his eyes. Joe wanted to have a positive conversation and to tell his sister to enjoy the day and to just let everything go. Teresa doesn’t want to hear it and kept bring up in the middle of his sentences, “your wife, your wife!” and the fact that Joe has changed since I came into the picture. Of course he has changed. He has a family now. How can Teresa expect to still be Joe’s first priority in his life?

It’s hard not to see why Joey gets frustrated. It’s almost humanly impossible not to at this point. He’s was trying to be positive, and she just doesn’t get it. There are all different kinds of love. Joe has enough for everyone, but those different kinds of love seem to be blurred with Teresa.

The amount of attention she demands from him is a little strange to me. I don’t even require that much, but I constantly try to be patient until they can figure it out.

What bothers me the most about their conversation is when she says that I’m a bad aunt to her children and in her interview that Gia hated me. If you watch the episodes, it’s right in front of your eyes. As they are talking, I was holding Audriana and helping her children out of the pool. I was cheering them on from the sidelines, and she keeps making the conversation about me. Why she tries to say these ridiculous things is beyond me.

The end of this episode is what is truly sad. Joe walks away cursing and frustrated and Teresa drives away using a word that no women should EVER use. WOW! I really just wish it would stop for the sake of all of us.

I promise that the season does take a more positive turn. It’s so hard watching these episodes and seeing what was said when you weren’t around. I’m not saying I am completely innocent, and there are times that I make digs. Sometimes it seems like it’s impossible to just meet in the middle.

In other news! Our house is up for sale! I want to clear some things up about it, and it’s totally understandable that a lot of you have questions. Just like Lisa Vanderpump and Kyle Richards sold their houses and moved to other ones, that is all we are doing. Joe is a builder, and we have done this before. Yes, we will build another house from scratch very similar to this one. This is how we actually made a lot of the investments in the buildings we own today.

Thankfully Joe and I are better than ever and own more properties than ever. We have gotten lucky to make good investments. I always tell Joe he should write a book and tell everyone how we did it. I think it would be such great advice for everyone to know.

With that said, please don’t believe any of the rumors that we have a balloon payment due, that our interest rate exploded, or that we can’t pay our bills. Our mortgage history is all available in public records, so I would never say that if it wasn’t true. We have a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 5% and have never once missed a mortgage payment in the whole eight years we’ve been married. It would make no sense that now we couldn’t afford this house. We own four buildings and have many other investments that would allow us to stay in this house forever if we wanted to. Montville is such a beautiful town. I absolutely love it and the school systems are incredible, but we just truly want to move back to Franklin Lakes. That’s where we lived when we first got married. It’s closer to where Joe works and sometimes you just have to make changes that are good for your family. The kids are getting older, so we want to be settled in now where we are going to be for the long run.

For the record, we sold our last house in Franklin Lakes for $2.45 million to LaVar Arrington (formerly of the Washington Red Skins and NY Giants) and bought in Montville so we could be closer to Teresa and the cousins. We moved into our current house in 2008 and didn’t sign on to the show until 2010. So obviously we did not just move into the house because we got on the show. We were approached by the producers two years after we were already living here. It does however kind of stink to be looped into the negativity surrounding everyone else’s problems, but I get, so that’s why I’m explaining it to you. Also, to all of you asking about my studio downstairs — it’s just a room, and all the equipment is coming with me! Yes there will be a new studio in my new house. Mind you, if we don’t sell this house, we aren’t moving anywhere. We will still be here! Sorry, it’s not juicier than that.

I can’t explain how much your support means to me through all of this. I wish I could personally thank each and every one of you.

xoxo,
Melissa

Perfectly Normal
Monday, May 21, 2012 5:19 PM

Hi my Bravo friends! Was that a field day or what?! Jacqueline did not cut any corners. She had everything there! It stinks that you didn’t get to see the entire day. We really did have a blast. We were out there for like eight hours. It was nice to just go and have a good time. Joe and I just wanted to put everything behind us at this point and move on.

Did you hear me ask Joe outside Jacqueline’s house if my shorts were too short? He could have said yes! Geez! I keep thinking of the Nair commercial. Who wears short shorts? We wear short shorts! Ha. Yes, they were too short!

I thought Joe’s talk with Gia was so sweet. I love how he explained himself to her, because he loves her so much he wants her to hear it from him. Joe is amazing with children, and for some reason all the little girls love him. Yes, it bothers me a little the way she was saying her mom gets upset and her mom tries. I wish she didn’t know as much as she does about the whole situation, but I think Joe knows she is only getting to see one side and hear one side in her house, so he wanted to take the chance to tell her how much he loves her and her mother and that he is going to try and change it.

Gia might be getting a little flak for being a sore loser, but I think it’s perfectly normal for a 10-year-old to act that way. They take it personally, and she is just at that age. I think her facial expressions and actions made it seem worse than it was. What did upset me was when Gia said something negative about her Uncle Joe and me, because it seemed like it was just something she was used to hearing. And with that I will say it is 100% not her fault.

She wants to love us, but I think she is very confused as any little girl would be when she is hearing so much about us in her home. It’s very sad and unnecessary, because she shouldn’t have to hear discussions about her aunts and uncles. At such a young age, she shouldn’t have any negative feelings towards family, only love. I really feel for her. She even took to Twitter last night to defend herself and said it was what she was hearing. I do want to say that people need to be more mindful of what they say on Twitter. Attacking an 11-year-old girl is not acceptable. That is just sad, and I hope it stops.

As far as Jacqueline and Caroline talking to her downstairs, I do think they were trying to defuse the situation because Teresa, Joe, and I were all getting along so well the entire day and they were trying to calm her before it turned into a big scene. I was playing outside with my children when it all happened, so I didn’t see most of it. I will say I do try to stay out of situations between children and their parents. I don’t like to reprimand anyone else’s kids. To each their own when it comes to parenting, and that’s just something I try never to get involved in.

We were all enjoying some good, clean competition. It was all in fun, and I think that Caroline and Jacqueline were just trying to make sure it stayed that way.

The last point I want to make is about the car ride with Joe Giudice and Teresa. I’m not going to talk about the way he was speaking to his wife, because that’s between them, but what I did notice was when Joe Giudice said he was sick of Teresa running back to tell him everything and that he would throw my in-laws out of his house if they defended their son. This is exactly the point that my husband complains about all the time.

He does feel like they constantly try to turn his parents against him and they constantly complain to his parents about us. You can’t blame him, they are his parents too and he loves them, and he shouldn’t have to defend himself and his wife to his own parents because of what his sister and her husband are telling them.

I have said it before and I will say it again, Joe and I spend one day a week with his parents, and it’s very rare we bring up Joe and Teresa. We don’t defend ourselves to them. We don’t try and make them believe us. We don’t discuss the show and we don’t want to stress them. We have dinner with them and spend time with them and the kids. If they are having stories fed to them, that’s on whoever is feeding it to them. We won’t do it. We have a happy relationship with them without talking about all the nonsense, and we prefer if that way.

I hope you can tell that good times are coming! We are all trying really hard to move past the spot we are at and start enjoying each other. Ahhh! Good times are on the way!

Xoxo,
Melissa

Having a Moment
Monday, June 04, 2012 11:55 AM

Hi!

Did you miss us last week? When they skip a week it seems like an eternity, right? Well I love the way this episode shows a lot about relationships. Black, white, red, purple, straight, gay — it doesn’t matter. We love who we love, right?

I want to start off talking a little about Joe and Teresa going to therapy, not physical therapy, but just plain therapy. Teresa and Joe both had a point when they said it’s not typical in our tradition to go to therapy, but Joe is willing to go outside his comfort zone to try. I was so proud of Joe when I watched this episode. The talk he had with Rich and what he was saying on his interviews was so sweet and warm.

That’s the Joe I know and love. He is swallowing his pride and putting his sister first. I personally love it, and I love when he tells Rich he loves her and wants to make it work. He also says if he is doing something wrong, he wants to know and fix it. If they both get on the same page with this and have an open mind about it, maybe it will work. You can tell Joe is ready and willing to try anything at this point. It makes me smile.

However, the talk that Teresa had with Kim D. was a little discouraging. She admits that Kim is one of her biggest fans and that Kim agrees with her all the time and pretty much does anything she ever says. One small point I’d like to make here is that just because someone kisses your ass doesn’t make them a good person or a good friend. Just make a mental note of that is all I’m saying. I do wish that Teresa would have gone to someone else for advice on such a serious matter.

I realize that she and Kim are “besties” these days, but when I hear Teresa bringing me into it — saying that Joe must need the therapy with his wife and that Joe wasn’t even sure he was going to marry me — I start to really wish she was talking to Jacqueline about this or a friend that wasn’t just going to agree with everything she says. I’m also not sure why she thinks it’s so important to keep bringing up his former engagements. It is just not relevant. This is where a real friend would come in and tell her to fight for her relationship with her brother. The conversation ends with Kim telling Teresa, “No one has their sh– together more than you.” How is that going to help get Joe and Teresa work through this?

Moving on. Rosie, Rosie, Rosie! You gotta love her! She’s open, honest, and laid it all out for the world to see. God Bless her. She’s funny, she’s crazy, she’s loud, she’s impulsive — everything we love in the reality world right? On a serious note, the talk she had with her niece and her nephew was incredible. It was so touching and brought tears to my eyes. The kids were so accepting, innocent, and loving to her and made her feel so comfortable talking to them. That was a moment. I also love the talk between her and Kathy! There is nothing like sisterly love. You will move mountains for each other. Their relationship is just like mine with my sisters. They love each other and will back each other up until the end. I wish Rosie happiness and success always! Love you, Rosie!

Jamie and Rich’s house is amazing! OMG it’s like a retreat! They also have such an incredible relationship. I know that wedding is going to be fabulous! I think it was so sweet of Jamie to ask Caroline to make a speech. I can’t wait to hear it next week!

Did you see Joe’s abandoned building! Everything was creaking and squeaking as we were walking around. You could hear drips of water falling! It was freaking me out! Something came over me and I wanted to make believe Freddy Kruger was coming. Or maybe the old man with the gray hair from Poltergeist. They both freak me out! I’m still waiting for my Academy Award to come in the mail!

The hot tub party at Kathy’s house was as fun as it looked! Rosie had the hots for Heather, and it was hilarious! Heather is such a sweet girl, if you talk to her she’s real quiet, almost has a southern accent, and talks about all the charity work she does. But put her in a bikini and BAM! New person! I like her a lot!

On another note, I’m so excited to announce that my new single Rockstar will be available on iTunes June 10th! You are going to love it!

Love you all,
Melissa

A Real ‘Rockstar’
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 6:29 PM

Hi, everyone!

Wow, was that the wedding of the century or what? When this was shot I had only met Jaime one time before, so I was not invited to the wedding, but that was one event no one would want to miss. It was simply beautiful, and they didn’t overlook a single detail.

I thought Caroline’s speech was perfect, and you could see she was nervous and wanted it to be perfect for her brother. I don’t know about you, but I love to see the vulnerable side of Caroline. She’s a strong woman, so we don’t see it much, but I do like when she shows us her softer side. The love Jaime and Rich have for one another is unbelievable and to see them tear up the way they did during their vows was so touching. I’m proud that Bravo shared their story and Rosie’s story with all of you. See, it’s not all drama all the time!

Well there is always some drama sprinkled in, and this episode it was of course over another tabloid.

Remember, when these episodes were shot last summer, I was trying to move on from the horrible place Teresa and I had been in a couple years back. I see the In Touch magazine covers Teresa does, and yes, I don’t like that they mention me in a negative way, but I think the viewers are smart enough to realize that you can’t believe everything you read.

I guess in her mind, there is a difference between what she is willing to share with the tabloids for money and what she will share with her friends and family. Please take note, if there are constantly stories in the tabloids, the show is going to address it. If you don’t want these issues to be brought up on the show, then don’t address them in the tabloids.

Coming on the show was a decision Joe and I made. I’ve been on the show for almost two years now, and I think it’s time for her to let it go. I didn’t come on to ruin her. Are you seeing me do anything to ruin her?

I’ve had multiple chances to talk about her personal issues, the bankruptcy, the marriage rumors, etc. and I don’t. How can she not see that?

I’m sorry Teresa has such an issue with me, but it’s time she moves on and gets over it like she said she has.

I think Teresa needs to realize that this is not her show, it’s Bravo’s. The name of the show is The Real Housewives of New Jersey, not The Teresa Show.

There is a reason for everything. She is on the show because Jacqueline recommended her to be on. Does Jacqueline torture her every day for it? NO. I think it’s safe to say that if I was on the first season and the show came to her to invite her on as well she would NOT have said no. It’s easy for her to say she wouldn’t have signed on, because that’s all she can point to when she’s trying to turn people against me.

Teresa’s financial issues were already out in the open and the tabloid covers and “posed pictures” were already happening well before we joined the show. Teresa’s thing is her cookbooks, I would never dream of writing one or trying to take that from her. I know some people try to say we are similar, but we are VERY different people and I’m not trying to live her life.

Regardless of what Teresa says about our relationship before RHONJ, there was a time that BOTH of us were being very vindictive to each other. I won’t deny that, but since joining the show, I haven’t taken opportunities to throw her troubles in her face, and that’s not how I want to be, even now when things are awful between us.

Teresa constantly brings up the fact that I joined the show “behind her back” and that Danielle and I were in contact.

I said this last year and will say it again: When I was pregnant with Joey, Danielle reached out to me on Facebook after I posted about the Christmas cookie incident. Yes, I did talk to her. For some reason I felt sorry for her watching how Teresa went after her, and I did vent to her about my issues with Teresa. This was all addressed already at the Season 3 reunion. It was well over three years ago and since then I thought that we were working to get to a better place, but I guess I have moved on and she has not.

Teresa holds grudges like no other, and I can’t control that. She has to decide her family is important enough to her and let it go.

@daniellestaub 12 Jan
Sadly no one except Teresa kept their deal at the end of season2 I said good bye & let it rest they continued speaking of me let’s not 4get

@JacLaurita
Yes, the deal was to forgive D & move on, not to be friends again. Everyone agreed 2 let her go & then T accused me of being disloyal @JenaJs6
June 17, 2012

@JenaJs6
@JacLaurita DIDN’T YOU MAKE PEACE with danielle? Werent U the one who hugged her 4 an hr & had an epiphany as far as viewers are concerned?
June 17, 2012

What’s starting to confuse me now is that you will start to see some pretty amazing times between me and Teresa. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I really enjoyed her company at the time and didn’t do it with any other motives. I hope it was the same for her.

The issues going on between her and Jacqueline and Caroline have nothing to do with me. It’s pretty obvious they are upset with her for their own reasons.

I will say that there definitely is a sense of reality that is missing lately with the fake dogs and all the other nonsense stories. Teresa doesn’t ever have to worry about me taking anything from her, she loses her credibility all by herself.

What you will see if you pay attention is that Teresa is trying to take me down every chance she gets. She is attacking my character, my marriage, my looks. What she is claiming is happening to her is quite the opposite. There goes that projection again. Thankfully most of you can see that, and all we can do is pray for her and hope she opens her eyes and takes a look at what’s really important.

During this episode, I see my husband Joe doing nothing but putting his two feet forward and also trying to move on with his sister. He is trying his hardest to convince her that they need to do something to fix it. Everyone is trying to move on from the past. It’s funny how Teresa says to Jacqueline at the wedding that therapy brings up the past and she doesn’t want to bring up the past, she wants to start fresh. Well then please do it, Teresa! It’s time to move on.

I also noticed she said to Jacqueline that she won’t go against her husband. Her exact words were, “It’s not going to happen.” Well then why do you get on your brother for siding with his wife?

Everything is OK for Teresa, but not for anyone else. I wish I could let her know that constantly lying to try to convince everyone that I’m a bad person is only going to give her temporary satisfaction. In the long run actions speak louder than words or written words that someone else writes for you.

I am trying to move on, but quite honestly she is making it impossible.

I have a beautiful life and have so many things that make me happy. I just look at Joe and the kids and I glow. I’m so sick of all this nonsense. If Teresa ever comes to us and says she needs us, we will be there. But she hasn’t.

I’m a smart girl and I can figure out why she is doing this. I said it in my first blog on Bravo and it remains true to this day. Teresa likes to be the center of attention. Be beneath her or get the hell out of her way. I refuse to let her walk all over me, disrespect me or my family, and that’s the real issue.

OK, enough of this talk I’m getting a headache. Let’s move onto something else without all the drama — my shore house! I’m so happy our shore house was finally done! Joe did an incredible job. We always have such a great time down there. We swim, we eat, we go on the wave runners, we drink, we catch crabs in the bay and make them with garlic sauce, and most importantly we spend a lot of time with the kids and just enjoy each other.

This is what life is about, being with your closest friends and family. This is really who Joe and I are, just fun happy people who love life. I’m so glad you get to see how much we love being with our family. I love that you got to see my dad’s two brothers and his sister on this episode. You probably don’t know which ones they were, but they were there partying with us. I love them so much, and it just goes to show you how close my family is. My mother still hangs out with my dad’s sister every single day. They are best friends.

I want to thank all my family and my amazing fans for your support with my music. Do you love my new single ROCKSTAR?! When I wrote it I just wanted it to be about having fun, partying, dancing, and just forgetting about the stress. I hope you listen to it all summer long and just have a good time when you do! This is what makes me tick. I feel so blessed that I have an opportunity to share the love I have for music with all of you. Enjoy it!

I also posted a new blog on my website about The View appearance we did last week. All my other appearances that are coming up are on there too! I hope to meet you at one of them!

Lots of Love,
Melissa

Don’t Believe Everything You Read
Monday, June 18, 2012 4:31 PM

Hi, everyone!

Let me start by saying thank you all so much for your support with Rockstar. I’m so glad so many of you are loving it. You only got to see a little taste of it last week, but there is much more of Rockstar to come. You will see me do choreography for it with Cris Judd who is amazing. I can’t wait for you to see it! I also just got some really great news about working with some new, amazing people. I can’t share it yet, but I’m blessed to be doing something I love. I’m writing some new songs now that I can’t wait for you to hear!

Onto the episode…Well it starts with the construction going on at Teresa’s house. How beautiful is Audriana? I love her and miss those kids so much. I’m happy they are in a place where they can add on to the house and make it even more of their dream home. I also think it’s fair to say Teresa is wearing Milania’s shorts in this scene! LOL!

Some of you have asked if it bothers me when the framer tells my husband that Teresa wants to put the same carport on her house that we have. It doesn’t bother me at all. I know it would bother her if I was making a replica of hers, but I’m not like that.

Joe is a little taken aback when he is told that Teresa is building a garage for her parents. Joe’s parents have been living in a house he owns for over 10 years. We sold it last year, but they will live there until Joe finds a perfect spot to build them a new one. Joe is the king of flipping houses. He buys and sells, buys and sells. This is what he does. Joe’s parents still live in that house, so I don’t think the garage Teresa was building was for her parents. I think the framer was confused. Teresa told me they were building a room for a nanny or an au pair, but I’m not really sure what they ended up doing with it.

When Kathy comes over to show me the magazine, I can see she is upset and hurt about it, and I understand that everyone is concerned. But I have to be honest here, if it looks like I’m not interested in talking about it, it’s because I’m not.

At this point, I think that everyone has reached out to Teresa and asked her how she is doing. She always insists she’s fine, so until she comes to us and says she is upset or scared about the bankruptcy or Joe’s possible “going away,” I am going to react to what Teresa says to me and not what I read in a magazine.

On the outside, it seems that things are good — a new carport, new closets, a new garage/apartment, and new furniture in the house — no signs of anything being wrong.

Even during her fight with Jacqueline, Teresa says everything is fine and she laughs. I don’t want to seem like I’m disregarding why Jacqueline is upset, I do understand that Jacqueline is looking for a true, open, and honest friendship. But until she decides she wants to talk, I have to respond to what she says, and she says everything is fine.

As far as the Danielle situation goes, I addressed it in my last blog and I don’t want to give too much away for the next episode. You will see what happens. I think we might also get an answer on whether or not Joe and Teresa go to therapy. Do you think they should?

All my appearances that are coming up are on my website, hope to meet you at one of them!

Make It Work
Monday, June 25, 2012 9:01 PM

On display, on display, on display!

Hi, everyone, hope you all had an incredible weekend! I know it was gay pride everywhere! Live and let live! I was supposed to be on the NBC float with Bravo at the parade in NYC, but Antonia was not feeling well so I didn’t want to leave her. She’s feeling better now, thank god! I know it was amazing, and I was there in spirit!

On to the episode. It was very sad to see Jacqueline and Teresa’s friendship in such a bad place. Watching Jacqueline weep like that was such a real moment, and you could see that she was really hurt and upset. You can see in her eyes that it’s hurting her. I hope that they can both find some peace.

Ryan Seacrest! Yes, I needed makeup on to call Ryan Seacrest! This is huge for me. He personally picks which songs he will debut, and he chose mine! I felt honored and extremely excited. This doesn’t happen every day. I wish you could have heard more of the conversation between Ryan and me, it was pretty funny. He’s a great guy and I appreciated it so much! How about Gino clocking Joe in his head? OMG it was hysterical! That little boy is special. I love him more than words can describe! Antonia loves to put my makeup on. Joe hates it; he gets crazy if she puts red Chapstick on! I feel bad for her, because she’s not going to be allowed to leave the house until she’s 25! That’s OK, she will be my best friend forever.

Joe thought it would be a great idea to have a party to celebrate On Display, so of course we did. We really do look for any excuse to get our family and friends together and make memories!

Of course there is always some drama, but at least Teresa and I laid it all out on the table. When Teresa asked me about Danielle, I told her the truth. I was wrong, so I apologized and hopefully we have moved past this. She is the one constantly saying to forget about the past and move on. You saw the solstice party episode, right? I forgave and moved on, because she is family.

I know I’m never going to get her to totally change the way she treats me, but as long as she backs off my marriage, we can do this.

The talk Teresa had with Joe made me smile. It makes me feel like she may really be ready to move on. Does everyone see why I love him so much? He said it himself, he’s weak for her whenever she is in front of him and he forgets about everything. That’s a great brother who loves his sister. He would never look at her and turn her away when she finally wants to mend the relationship.

I know a lot of you are concerned that she is running to Kathy, Joe, and me because things have gone sour with her friends and they don’t want to deal with her anymore. You know what, that may be the case, but to be honest I’m going to give her the chance to prove it. She is family, she is Joe’s only sister. She may need us now, and we won’t turn our backs on her. It’s not our style. There is love there if she could just get past the competitive BS. I’m going to be optimistic and put my all into the relationship. I really do want it to work. For the first time in my life, I feel like we are both really going to try and fix this. I truly want to enjoy her company and not because I have to, because I want to.

One last thing, when we taped the episode, I referred to when Jacqueline punched Caroline. I had heard about the situation from Teresa, and she has talked about it in previous episodes. But as I have gotten closer to both Jacqueline and Caroline, I learned that at the time Jacqueline was suffering from post-partum depression. I realize now that it was a bad example to give Teresa during our conversation. Post-partum is a very serious issue, and I shouldn’t have referred to it.

I’m so happy you all love the remix of On Display! It’s my favorite! That was my first song, it’s my baby, and I will never forget what it felt like to hear it on the radio with Ryan Seacrest! Thank you, Jesus!

Check out my website for “Thank You Jesus” shirts and “wifey” shirts! I wear mine all the time! You will love them!

The support from the Bravo fans is unbelievable . I love you all. Thank you.

Melissa
xo

Let’s Fix the Gorgas!
Monday, July 02, 2012 5:29 PM

Hi, Lovers!

Hope you’re all enjoying this beautiful summer. The weather has been great and I’m so excited for the 4th of July this week. I like it being in middle of the week, because it’s an excuse to take the whole rest of the week to just relax in the sun! I already warned Joe, no working on Thursday and Friday. We will see if he keeps his promise!

I love to watch Jacqueline with her father. He seems so calm and sweet. They are a lot alike actually. Jacqueline is a really good listener, and he seems the same. By now you have all known Jacqueline for quite some time, and I think it’s obvious what a wonderful person she is. She cares and worries about everyone else’s feelings. She wants the best for everyone. I’ve grown to see how amazing she is and what a solid friend she truly is. I feel bad that she is drawn into our family issues. She has her own issues to worry about with Ashlee, and she has two little boys and husband to think about. It must be extremely frustrating for her to have to deal with all the extra drama. I feel for you, Jacqueline.

Let’s talk about Zia Maria. Kathy’s mother is amazing. She has truly been through so much in her life, and she never complains about anything. She is one of the sweetest, most kind-hearted women I know. She had an unfortunate experience as a child, and I could never imagine how it must have felt for her as a little girl. I love the way she never held a grudge against her siblings. I know she always calls my father-in-law to go to the market and to spend time together. She is a woman that never cared about having material things and just wanted to take care of her children. God bless her. I love her so much.

I know Teresa tried to insinuate that Kathy is just here for Rosie now because of the show. I knew Kathy and Rosie way before the show and have always seen nothing but pure love and a great relationship between the two of them. The first time I met Kathy was ten years ago at Rosie’s house. They were all making dinner together. Kathy and Richie have accepted who Rosie is, and I don’t believe that Kathy would ever treat Rosie badly. Not for a minute. Do I think they used have arguments? Of course. Rosie is very impulsive and needed time to come to terms with her life and who she is. I’m sure that put her on edge at times and I’m sure they had their arguments as sisters. But who doesn’t? The important thing is that no matter what they will be there for each other and support each other. Siblings fight, that’s normal. But they don’t hold grudges, they make up after, and they always wish the best for one another. It is a beautiful thing to see a united family.

I called Joe before he went to therapy, because I just wanted him to approach it in a positive light rather than something he felt awkward doing. I wanted him to go in thinking, “This is it, we are going to fix this.” I thought he was so cute, like a little nervous boy waiting his turn to speak to the therapist. I loved to see him like that, because it showed that he really wants to make this better. I love when he said, “Let’s fix the Gorgas!”

Teresa’s talk with the therapist didn’t surprise me too much. Of course it was all about me. She didn’t say one negative thing about herself or her brother. Just me. Yes, I’m used to it by now, and I really just don’t know what to say anymore.

I think it is very obvious that I have never been the problem here. She makes me the problem and she constantly blames me for everything. I guess she doesn’t want the world to think that it’s her family or her relationship with her brother that is failing, but instead the problems are because of someone who is not part of the original family (like me). Well I know a lot of you are frustrated with it, and I am too. I am trying to stay positive and just remember what is really important.

I want to thank you so much for all your supportive tweets throughout the show last night. It really does mean a lot to me and Joe that you all see what’s going on, and your tweets just make me smile. Thank you!

ROCKSTAR is on iTunes right now! Go and get it! Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/LJXIdx.

I have the cutest “Wifey” and “Thank you Jesus” shirts on my website! All my appearances that are coming up are on my website too. Hope to meet you at one of them!

Lots of Love,
Melissa

That Was Easy
Monday, July 09, 2012 5:42 PM

Happy Birthday, Antonia! My beautiful baby girl turned 6! I am so blessed to have such a beautiful, smart, and good little girl in my life. She really is the sweetest little thing inside and out. I’ve always thrown her beautiful birthday parties; it’s what I love to do! It’s one of the reasons I love being a mom. For as long as I can remember I’ve just always wanted to have babies and do all the beautiful things mommies do! I only have one little girl, so I love to give her everything I can and enjoy these precious baby years for as long as she will let me. I know she won’t let me dress her in the frilly outfits with the big headbands and feather hats forever. But for now she loves it, so I’m not going to stop until she makes me! The party was so much fun and all the kids had such an incredible time. This is what’s important in life, watching the kids smile and just enjoying life together!

For those asking why I had my makeup done for the birthday, well, hello! I wanted to look nice! To be honest I hired a professional photographer to capture the day — memories, memories, memories! So if figured I’d get my makeup done so I could have some great pictures from the day. I know I’ve said this before, but I have a picture obsession! I will post some of them from the party on my website today, so be sure to go check them out!

It was great to see Teresa and Joe getting along at the party. See how easy it is? Just enjoy each other! Joe mentioned how the therapist said a Sunday dinner would be great for us. I really thought it was a great idea and immediately invited everyone to my house.

I loved being able to play with Teresa about the sprinkle cookies! That’s how sister-in-laws should be. They should be able to play with one another. That is all I want.

I just want a happy, normal relationship with her so that we can get our families together. Is that so hard? It’s not for me!

I’m happy Teresa is getting to the point where she is realizing that life is too short to worry about the petty things. I hope she is going to start having a more positive attitude about my marriage, my music, and my kids, and just stop overanalyzing me and everything I do. It must be draining for her to worry about me all day and worry about how we are living our life.

I do think sharing an RV together is a good thing! I want to dive right in. That’s how I am — when I call truce, I call truce! I would never do anything to sabotage this good thing we have going. So as long as Teresa doesn’t, I don’t see how anything could ever go wrong again. This is how I felt when we were shooting this episode. Does it stay like that? Well you will have to keep watching and see.

Let’s talk about Cris Judd! OMG, I was completely intimidated! He has worked with such amazing artists and people. I’ve been a fan of his for such a long time, so actually being able to have him teach me was surreal. I love his dancing style and I love the way he moves. He worked with the King of Pop, who is my idol! Did you see when he asked me dance?! I was so nervous I just started to giggle. I could barely move! The advice and tips he gave me were so helpful, and I still think about what he taught me every time I get on a stage. You haven’t seen the last of him; he will be in next week’s episode too! I can’t wait for you to see me perform Rockstar at Beatstock. I love that song!

OMG, how cute is Gia? She was shaking her groove thing! She’s loves to dance. She loves gymnastics, she loves acting, and I hear she’s taking singing lessons now too! Teresa has always wanted her to be in the spotlight, and so here she is! Joe and I always support her and are so proud of her. We love to see her doing her thing!

I love the bickering between Caroline and Lauren, it was so funny. Ladies, going into business together might cause some tension! It’s really great of Caroline to support her daughter and help her make this store possible. By the way, the store is called Cafface, and it’s absolutely beautiful! I’ve been there; it is like a café for your face! They have such beautiful makeup stations and the atmosphere is perfect. Lots of luck, Lauren!

I loved watching Rosie’s first date with “what’s her name.” It was so cute. Rosie was acting like a little school girl being very polite and sweet to her guest, although they probably should have gone somewhere alone together. That girl probably thought Richie was nuts!

Greg’s birthday party was a blast! I love him, he’s a great guy, and we always have such a good time together! I get along with the Manzo boys so well! Lindsey was so sweet and beautiful. I loved her. I wanted to give her some tips on how to show Albie that she was serious about him. I told her if she wants to be a “wifey” she has to prove it to him. When men don’t live with their mother, they appreciate a girl doing the things their mommy used to do.

If you really love a man, you will have no problem doing things like vacuuming for him before he gets home, doing the laundry, and buying a fruit basket! Trust me, these are probably things he hates doing, so he will appreciate it! Show him you care and show him he means a lot to you and that you want to go out of your way to make him happy. If you find that you don’t want to do these things for him, then he might not be the right one. These are my tips for a happy relationship!

I can’t wait for you to see the Beatstock performance next week! I also have a list of the vendors and people that helped make Antonia’s birthday perfect on my website, from the cake to the giant caterpillar! And of course I’m going to talk about WWHL with Mike Tyson! Check it out!

Rockstar and all my other songs are on iTunes right now!

Lots of Love,
Melissa

What a Rush!
Thursday, July 19, 2012 10:20 AM

Hi Lovers!

Hope you are all having an amazing summer. I’ve been spending so much time at our beach house and just enjoying good quality time with Joe and the kids. I’m so in love with them all and feel so blessed to have this incredible family. Hope you are all doing the same with yours!

Well you finally got to see the Beatstock performance! It was such a rush being there and being on stage in front of all those people. It took a lot of courage to get out there and do it, and I loved every minute of it. Rehearsing with Cris Judd was more than I could ever ask for. He is one of the kindest and most patient people I know. He saw that I was nervous and instantly did everything he could to teach me how to let it go. We all know he has worked with the best, so he definitely intimidated me, but you would never know who he worked with by talking to him. He is the most humble guy and so thankful for all the opportunities he has had in life. He taught me a lot including the little known fact that standing still makes the biggest wow! Who knew? Thank you, Cris Judd.

The performance felt amazing. It was like a huge adrenaline rush, and when it was over I just wanted to get back on the stage and do it again. I was so proud of Gia. I love her so much. I’ve known her since she was just two years old, and we used to dance together all the time. I always grabbed her at the family parties and danced with her. She loves to shake her groove thing!

I don’t hold anything against the little girls mocking me about my music. They have both never seen me perform, so I know it’s not coming from them. I used to sing all the time at our family holidays. I have one video of us at Easter that is adorable; Gia and I were singing karaoke. Gia was about 4 years old. So cute.

You can tell by the way their parents laughed where the negativity is coming from. Yes, it’s sad, yes, I wish they would not talk about me negatively in front of my nieces, and yes, I wish they would have told them that it’s not nice. But those are their parents, so they will absorb whatever it is that is going on in their home. I can’t control it, all I know is that if my children ever said a nasty word about their aunt or uncle, they would hear it from me.

I will say those girls never act like that around me. They love me, and I can feel it. Did you see me run up to Gia when my performance was over and give her a huge hug and tell her I love her? That’s how I have always been with her and all my nieces. Did you see Joe jumping and screaming saying he would kill for Gia. That’s an uncle. That’s how we are with anyone who is in our family. We support them, we lift them up, and we tell them they are amazing. We don’t try to highlight every little flaw.

It definitely bothered me when Teresa said I lip synced at my release party. Where does she get this from? That is 100% not true. When I do heavy choreography, which I normally do, I sing live to the track. Most artists do. It’s not any different than any other performer you hear on the radio today. I’m not sure why she feels the need to say this in front of the camera and in front of her girls. Does it give her some kind of satisfaction to discredit me?

I never question her cooking and I NEVER would. That is her business and livelihood, what kind of person would I be if I tried to make people not believe in her? Well I guess I would be exactly the same person she is. I don’t like that she says she has never heard me sing acapella either. Hello, did everyone not hear me on Season 3 when I stood next to my piano in my great room and sang for the producers so they could hear my voice, with the whole Bravo crew right there? Was she not at the BLK launch party where I sang live? For the life of me I can’t figure out why she says these things. I really wish she would just wish me well.

My sisters crying during my performance gave me the chills. I had no idea they were crying, and I love them so much. They are the greatest example of how siblings should support each other. They are standing by and watching me succeed and do what I’ve wanted to do since I was a little girl, and they couldn’t be happier. I used have them follow me around through the house with the camcorder recording me sing and dance. They were always front row at every one of my school plays that I sang at. They probably can’t believe that they are actually seeing me on a legit stage. I love you, Kim and Lysa!

I love that Patti Labelle loved the BLK water! I’m so happy for the Manzo/Laurita crew and their success with it! I thought it was hysterical to see Albert taking a back seat to his boys. Although I have tried the Brownstone sauce, and it’s great!

I’m excited that Kathy is finally following her dream of desserts. She used to come to my kids’ birthday parties with decorative cakes for them all the time. It’s her thing, there is no denying that! Everyone seems to be moving forward with their dreams. I’m proud of every single one of them. The drama aside, all five of us ladies are great parents, great family people, and very driven. I applaud all of us for having the courage to show the world how our families work. I think we are all pretty amazing!

I can’t wait for you to see the fun times coming in California! There are some pretty amazing moments!

Thank you all so much for loving ROCKSTAR! It’s number 20 on iTunes and I can’t explain how grateful I am. I have the most amazing fans, and you support me until the end! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

ROCKSTAR is on iTunes right now! Go and get it! Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/LJXIdx.

I just finished a new dance song that gives me chills! It is incredible, and the release date is coming soon!

For anyone who is going to be in Atlantic City next weekend I’ll be at Harrah’s The Pool After Dark on July, 27th. Make sure you stop by!

I just launched my new website, and I love it! Make sure you check it out!

Lots of Love,
Melissa

Say Cheese
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 3:33 PM

Hi lovers!

Hope you all had an amazing weekend. I was in Miami for the weekend with Joe. We had such a great time at Mercedes Benz Swim Week there. I was honored to be asked to go to a couple shows, and the swimwear coming out in 2013 is fierce! It was so great to be able to spend a little time with just Joe. Every couple needs that once in a while!

I’m so glad you got to see the photo shoot for my single cover. They can be so stressful, but I love being a girl and changing outfits and makeup! Antonia loves them too. I always keep her with me when I do them and always let her put on whatever dressy outfit she wants. I have the photographer take pictures of her as well. She loves it! I wish you could have seen the little poses she does! She’s truly my little princess, and I don’t ever want her to look at me taking pictures and wishing she was the one taking them, so I always include her. She thinks it’s her photo shoot half the time! How funny is my makeup artist, George? He cracks me up. He’s always telling me how to pose and how to move, and yes, he does incredible makeup! It’s flawless every time. You should check out his website. I also want to thank Alisa Maria who styled me for this shoot and Moises De Pena the photographer. It was a great shoot!

Congrats to Teresa on such a successful book signing. The books are doing great, and I am happy for her. As far as the recipe goes, whether it’s Kathy’s mom’s or Teresa’s mom’s just seems silly to me. They are one family; their parents are brother and sister. They are the whole family’s recipe. Most families pass recipes down, most come from a grandmother, and they both have the same grandmother. So come on ladies, let’s just say it’s a family recipe! Done!

I’m proud of Kathy for following her dream of sharing her desserts with everyone. She threw a great tasting, and I love how Victoria and Joey help her. They are such great teenagers! I love seeing how everything she does is a family project.

As far as the men go, boys will be boys… If Joe Giudice got is just mad Joe didn’t return tools, and he continues to speak the way he does about his wife’s brother, that’s sad. He has continually bashed me as well, and in the long run he’s only making a fool of himself.

Well, with the nonsense aside, we are all about to go on a beautiful trip together. Brighter days are ahead. Thank you, Jesus!

ROCKSTAR is on iTunes right now! Go and get it! Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/LJXIdx.

For anyone who is going to be in Atlantic City next weekend I’ll be at Harrah’s The Pool After Dark on July, 27th. Make sure you stop by!

Lots of Love,
Melissa

Breaking Down the Wall
Thursday, August 02, 2012 5:13 PM

Hi Lovers!

I’m so glad you got to see a fun episode! The California trip was amazing, and you haven’t seen anything yet. The best stuff is still coming! We had so much fun on that trip. I can honestly tell you from the bottom of my heart that I loved every single minute of it. I had no regrets sharing the RV with Teresa and Joe. I was happy to be with family, and I was truly enjoying myself! I have to say Teresa and I can be really funny together, right?

I felt bad that Joe had to drive the RV the whole time, but he was a good sport and had fun with it. Getting there was a nightmare with Hurricane Irene. I get extremely car sick on long rides and that this trip was looong. Not fun! Let’s just say I was not a happy camper. But when we finally got there it was all worth it. Living in Jersey we don’t get to see views like that. Don’t get me wrong, we have the incredible NYC skyline, but we never get to see the mountainsides like that and all the beautiful vineyards. Just wait to see the next place we go, it’s incredible!

Teresa was killing me while we were talking to the neighbors! LOL! They were explaining to us that they live there all year round. They were not on vacation, they live in the RVs and wake up to that beautiful view every day. Teresa was just not having it! It’s kind of funny to sit back now and watch, I remember the conversation feeling so awkward!

The talk between me and Teresa on the beach was real and honest. She told me how she felt about the recipe situation with Kathy, and I told her how I felt about everything that was going on.

I know she doesn’t have a sister to come in and give her advice on certain things, so I was trying to break down that wall and step in with what I thought was sisterly advice. I don’t sugar coat things — I call it like I see it. I like when people are open and honest with me, so that’s what I was trying to do for her, hoping it could help mend her other relationships. I think she appreciated it and actually tried to listen to me. I felt good walking away from that conversation.

We are breaking ground here folks! Are you loving it?

Well I’d love to tell you more about California, but I don’t want to give too much away!

Lastly I want to thank everyone that has been coming out to support me at my appearances and performances. I am so grateful for everything, and I love meeting you all! The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s in Atlantic City this past weekend was amazing — over 2,000 people came out! Wow! What an amazing night. I apologize to anyone that couldn’t get in, they were over capacity and only letting two in as two came out. Some of my cousins couldn’t even get in! I felt so bad! Thank you again.

I’m so excited to tell you I finally shot my first music video this week! It’s for my new song “I Just Wanna”. It felt so unbelievable, and I can’t wait for you to hear this song and see the video. You are going to love it! A huge thank you to Jelsomino in the Dream Hotel for letting us shoot there! All of my songs are on iTunes! Here’s the link!

All my appearances that are coming up are on my website. Hope to meet you at one of them!

Lots of Love,
Melissa

Snails, Toads, and Eels
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 6:36 PM

Hi lovers!

I can’t believe summer is almost over! It goes so fast. I’m having the best summer with Joe and the kids! So many exciting things are going on. I can’t wait to share them all with you! I have an official release date for my new single I Just Wanna: September 9th! It’s such an incredible dance track I know you will love it. I’m really proud of it. I also shot a video for it! I’m so excited for you to see it. I’m grateful.

How fun was this episode? I loved it! It was such a great time in Napa! I truly loved every second of it. I have no regrets! Sharing the RV went well. I’m really happy we did! I also loved spending so much time with Kathy, the Manzo crew, Jacqueline, and Chris! It was really going well. Oh and I can’t forget my favorites. Vito and Greg! Love them!

I’m glad Teresa and Jacqueline talked. They needed to cut that tension, we could all feel it. It was a little upsetting that Teresa admitted to Jacqueline that she wanted her to go against me. I don’t know why, since she always said she loves her family and would never hurt them. It’s a little confusing.

I have to admit, I can’t help but sometimes feel like if Teresa says she’s wearing black, then she’s definitely wearing white. It’s just my gut feeling, but I’m putting all this aside for the sake of the family and just really enjoying her and Joe’s company. I can see that my husband is happy and that she is too, so that’s all that really matters. To hell with my gut! Right?

I can’t believe this all took place a year ago. It seems like yesterday.

OK, OK, let’s talk about how I fell in the river! I can’t believe how many of my Twitter followers commented on how funny it was! You are sooo mean! LOL! OK, maybe I laughed a little bit watching it too, but it was not funny that day. I was terrified! If you could have seen the insects and snails and toads and eels that were in the water, you would understand! It was only two feet deep, so my feet sank right into the muck and bugs that were underneath me! It was the worst experience of my life! I was trying to tell Joe there was a hole in the boat, but he wouldn’t listen to me. He was telling me to stop being a diva and enjoy the ride. Ugh that was the worst! I’m glad I gave all of you a laugh! You all owe me!

I love you all to pieces! Enjoy summer!

I have a lot of appearances and performances coming up. I hope to see you at one of them!

Lots of Love,
Melissa

An Honest Mistake?
Monday, August 20, 2012 4:33 PM

Hi lovers!

Today is my 8-year wedding anniversary to the love of my life. I’m very proud of the family we created together and the bond we have. Marriage is never easy; you constantly have to work on it. I put my all into my marriage and show Joe respect — I respect him as a father and as a husband more than words can say. We are so blessed and I am grateful. He’s truly the love of my life!

So we are still in Cali! How gorgeous is the estate we stayed at? Now this is vacation. It was truly breathtaking! The vineyard Chris and the boys took us to visit was so much fun. I had no idea it was supposed to be just business! The Manzo/Laurita clan didn’t look so happy. Sorry, guys! We were on vacation and there was wine everywhere… I don’t think we should have gone on that business trip! LOL! We probably should have stayed at the estate and let them do their business thing.

The surprise 50th birthday dinner for Caroline was so sweet and so special coming from her family. I love the bond that family has, they are unbreakable. Whenever I see them all together, I always think of my own family with one girl and two boys. I know we will be as happy as they are when I’m 50! God bless them. The speeches were perfect, and we all shed a tear!

I’m not going to get into the phone call we saw Joe have. I didn’t like it when Teresa made accusations about my marriage, so I’m not going to do it to hers. They have four daughters that need to be protected from this, so I will leave it to Joe and Teresa to explain it. How they choose to live within their marriage has nothing to do with any of us.

I was very upset when I watched the episode, and I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. We may have our differences, but I would never want this to happen to her.

When Teresa and I were talking in the RV, I thought it was hysterical! I was teasing her and she was laughing. It was perfect. I needed to explain to her that when she puts out these articles about her marriage and kids in a magazine and accepts a paycheck, then it’s no longer just her business, it is now everyone’s business. So she can’t get upset when people discuss it. I felt like she was listening to me, but I’m not sure, because I just saw another one yesterday. To each their own. Just trying to help and get her past this hump.

I did think Teresa was trying to make a nice toast, but the fact that she mentioned all the ladies besides Kathy ruined it. I can see why Kathy was upset and a little embarrassed. Relationships aren’t about taking turns. It shouldn’t be that it’s either one relationship or the other. It might have just been an honest mistake. Not really sure, what do you guys think?

Well there’s more California to come! Thank you all for being such great fans. I love reading all your tweets and beautiful comments. I heart you all!

I have a lot of appearances and performances coming up. I hope to see you at one of them! Here’s my schedule!

All of my songs are on iTunes! Here’s the link!

Catch a sneak peek of my new music video.

Lots of Love,
Melissa

Character Assassination
Monday, August 27, 2012 5:15 PM

Another crazy episode. I think you could tell by my face that I’m just so over all the fighting and craziness. I really can’t take it anymore.

I think Kathy was just trying to explain to Teresa that the Manzos and Lauritas are really good people, and that she should try harder to fix things with Caroline. I told Kathy that I wished she didn’t say anything, because at this point it is clear that Caroline does not have to deal with Teresa. She is not her family, and luckily she can walk away.

Caroline is not a fake person and she tells you exactly how she feels. It’s very obvious how she feels about Teresa and why she feels that way. She is very happy with her family, so sometimes it’s just better to get someone poisonous out of your life. I think that’s exactly what Caroline is doing and who could blame her?

I will say I got a sick feeling in my stomach when Caroline said she’s been in the car with Teresa and heard Teresa bashing Joe and me to her mother. This is nothing we didn’t know already, but to hear about it is just sad.

Joe suffers all the time because of the wall Teresa tries to put up between him and his parents. Nothing hurts him more. When they are upset for no reason at all, my kids don’t get to see their only grandfather. I think I understand why she lied and tried to poison everyone’s minds against us, but why his own parents? It takes a person with a very, very small conscience to do that.

Then to tell Caroline that I was a copycat, a stripper, gold digger, whore, and wanted to be her? Wow. This blows my mind. Where does she get this from? Every one of those statements is false.

It is terrible to go around and try to ruin someone’s character. It’s just not right.

I’m not gonna lie, I really think it’s disgusting and I wish she would stop. The sooner she stops trying to hurt other people, the sooner her own life will get better.

It’s not fair to do these things and lie to all of us constantly.

There is now proof that she gets paid for these articles and she was lying to us the whole time. I think her credibility is now completely gone.

I tried everything I possibly could to fix the relationship between Teresa and me and Joe. It was going really well. I did this for family. I did this for my husband.

It is now clear that she tried to poison all the ladies’ and the public’s minds against Kathy and me and got them to feel sorry for her. But now the truth is coming out.

I really feel that I tried to help Teresa. I knew she was having problems with the other ladies, and I jumped in and tried to help. I tried to give her advice. I also tried to make all the problems between her and her brother go away.

Joe and I left that house with her and Joe. Whether or not we agreed with her, of course we left with her, she is family. Last season I threw that woman Monica out of my house for her. Joe and I were not going to let them fly home drunk.

We are true family. With that said, we have worked really hard to make a beautiful family of our own and give our children a healthy and happy lifestyle. I will not let anyone, family or not, try to break that. We are giving our all to her and Joe, and I deserve the same from her. Hopefully, she will reciprocate and we can keep this good thing going.

See you next week!

I have a lot of appearances and performances coming up. I hope to see you at one of them! Here’s my schedule!

All of my songs are on iTunes! Here’s the link!

Catch a sneak peek of my new music video.

Lots of Love,
Melissa

Time Flies
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 2:58 PM

Hi!

Well, let me start by saying we filmed the reunion this past week, and boy oh boy words cannot even explain the craziness. That day is probably the hardest part of being a Housewife and being on Bravo. We got through it, and I am so glad it’s over. It was pretty emotional and very intense, but it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Knowing what’s to come in the season finale, this episode makes me happy and sad at the same time. When I called a truce with Teresa, I meant it. I truly wanted to put all the past behind us and start with a clean slate. I wanted to forget about all the vindictive things that went on between us and move on for our children and our family. I was putting my two feet forward and giving the relationship my all. I didn’t want to go back to where we were in the past.

We made a promise to move forward, and that’s exactly what I did. You will soon see that wasn’t the case for Teresa.

The play date with the cousins was so much fun. How gorgeous were Antonia, Gabriella, and Milania? They are all so precious. What a great day we had together! The girls loved it and loved being together.

To be honest, Teresa is the reason we even live in Montville. Joe and I sold our house in Franklin Lakes so that we could move to a town that we would have family in and so our kids could go to school with their cousins. I grew up with so many cousins, and I wanted my children to have that bond. I wanted them to have those relatives that would support them up no matter what. That’s how it should be.

It was so cute seeing everyone’s first day of school. I can’t believe Antonia missed the bus! I felt so bad! Joe was making fun of me and thought it was funny, but I didn’t want her first day of first grade to start like that. I rushed her right over and got her there in time! Thank God! Maybe I shouldn’t have taken so many pictures? I can’t believe that was a year ago and she just started second grade! Time flies.

The next two episodes are really telling and you will understand why we are all at the place we are today. Stay tuned for a wild ride.

Finally, I want to thank all of you for supporting and buying I Just Wanna last night! This is my absolute favorite song so far! It’s such a hot dance track. I want to thank Andy for showing a clip of the music video last night on #WWHL. I can’t wait for you to see the full video!

Lots of Love,
Melissa

Very Convenient
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 11:59 AM

Well the time has come. Only one episode left — buckle up, bitches!

There is going to be a lot of information thrown at you in the season finale, but first let me just say for the record, I was never a “stripper or a call girl or a whore or a lesbian or a drug user” as my sister-in-law likes put out there for everyone.

If I was a stripper, I would say I was. I have nothing against them, and I am definitely way too smart to deny it. I would have to be a fool to think I could get away with stripping and go on a reality TV show and no one would ever find out. Come on, you have to give me more credit than that.

Now on to the Sunday’s episode. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when those two “masterminds” were putting this together. Are we really supposed to believe that this is just all one big coincidence?

Looking back, when Kim D. called I knew it was not genuine at all. You know she needs her fashion show to get filmed so she and the store can stay relevant. I’ve always been good to her and supported her. I tried to shop at her store when I could, and I walked in her show last year when she asked me to. I’m not the type of person to start with someone or argue with someone unless you really provoke me.

I was upset because Kim D. had been talking about a lawsuit my husband was in, trying to make him look bad. You can see how frustrating it would be for me that this woman I supported would try and make him look bad. But I got over it, and we had moved on. Honestly there was a part of me who said, Kim likes me, she’s always nice (to my face), maybe she just wants to call a truce. I’m a sucker for an apology, always was. Even Joe could be 100% wrong in an argument we might have, and I think to myself I’m not going to talk to him for two days, I’ll teach him! LOL! The second he walks up to me and gives me a kiss, I start laughing. I don’t’ know why I’m like that. Ugh, it’s to a fault!

OK, so let’s talk about a few things that are odd in this episode.

First, I find it hard to believe that Teresa just so happened to go to a random hair salon to get her hair and makeup done before going to the Posche Fashion Show. We all see her get her hair done at home each week, and trust me, she does not like to try out new people when she knows she will be filmed and photographed.

Second, the salon has a creepy PR manager that greets them and hands out champagne to their “housewife customers” and just so happened to work as a manager at a gentleman’s club. Interesting career move. I wonder how one goes from gentleman’s club manager to a public relations professional? I guess he wasn’t that good at his job, because the salon is now closed.

Back to the episode. Wow, this is getting better and better. So now the creepy PR manger decides to tell Teresa I used to dance for him. Oh, and that my customers miss me so much. Really? Tell them to go buy On Display or I Just Wanna on iTunes if they want a piece of me. Muah!

What I love most about this scene is Teresa looks like she has stood in front of a mirror and practiced what face she was going to make for the last two weeks. For a second she actually looks confused, I think she forgot which face she was going to use, then in typical Teresa ah ha fashion she remembered and went with it. Pretty good, pretty good.

But your family knows you all too well, sister.

Then it cuts to a one-on-one of Teresa saying, “I heard rumors that Melissa was a dancer and now this just confirms it.” Way to give me the benefit of the doubt. Looks like she is just going with this one. This is all just so convenient now isn’t it?

Back to the salon, Kim looks like a pig in sh– and Teresa takes the chance to say, “Please don’t ever talk about my family.” I guess only she and her husband can call me a gold-digging, raccoon-faced, lip-synching, fame whore, leave-my-husband-for-a-richer-man kind of girl. But not the creepy, fake PR guy. OH NO!

Watching the episode at this point I’m now chuckling. Are they serious? This is the worst acting I have ever seen. All of them need to stay on reality TV forever!

And then the previews for next week’s season finale: bad weaves, more bad acting, creepy men are back, Joe Giudice’s long lost brother makes an appearance (why the hell is he there?), Kim D. lets us all know “she rolls with the big boys,” oh and lots and lots of hearts pounding.

In all seriousness, it’s kind of sad that I went to the fashion show with every intention of having a good time. I was feeling really genuine about my relationship with Teresa, and I never in a million years thought I was going to get ambushed the way I did. I was completely taken off guard. This is just mean. There is so much more I want to say, but I have to wait until next week’s episode airs, so I’ll leave you with this… It’s truly sad the lengths one woman will go to promote her store and another would go to stay on top. I just wish everyone would remember I have three kids at home and this situation was just disgusting.

See you next week.

xoxo,
Melissa

Family First
Tuesday, September 25, 2012 6:39 PM

There you have it. I don’t feel I need to waste my time and give you a blow-by-blow of what happened in this episode. I think there were far too many “kawinkydinks” and the writing is on the wall. I know by now you all know me, you know my family, and you know my values.

I live my life by three words: trust, loyalty, and respect. I have forgiven and forgotten many things, but I will not let anyone, whether it is an aunt, cousin, sister, mother — I don’t care who it is — ruin my family. I am a mother and a wife, and that comes first with me. I have to protect my family, and if that means staying away from negativity, then that’s what I will do. I would do the same if it was my own sister.

At this point I think I only have one word to describe what has happened and what’s to come: D-E-L-U-S-I-O-N-A-L.

I love all your beautiful emails and support that I’ve gotten over the last couple days. It’s been unreal. I wish I could write back to each and every one of you.

Thank you! Thank you!

Lots of Love,
Melissa

Jacqueline to Caroline: I feel like it was a setup of some kind.

Jacqueline to Melissa: What happened?

Melissa: Teresa came to me tonight and asked me if I was ever a dancer because some guy that was here told her I was.

Jacqueline: You know what? I heard him earlier and I heard him saying something like I’m going to try and embarrass her or something like that.

Melissa: That’s what he said? He can try all he wants. My husband knows me.

Jacqueline: You know what? That was a setup.

Melissa: I know it was but Teresa should have said absolutely not, I’m not going to approach my SIL.

Jacqueline: I think it was a setup. That’s what I’m saying.

Melissa: I know it was but she shouldn’t have went along with it.

Jacqueline: Well, I think she’s the one that set it up.

Melissa: Right.

Jacqueline: Now that’s sort of annoying me right now.

Melissa: I agree, she set it up. I know she did.

Jacqueline: Because I heard something.

Melissa to Joe: Teresa set me up.

Melissa to Teresa: I overhead that you set me up purposely now.

Teresa: From who? Are you kidding me, from who?

Melissa: I don’t like to talk in front of people.

Teresa: Then don’t say that. If you don’t like to talk about it in front of people, then why did you just say that, right now?

Melissa: Because that’s what we just heard.

Teresa: From who?

Melissa: I can’t say.

Teresa: Then I don’t want to hear it because I told you who it was. The bald guy. If you’re not going to back it up, don’t say it.

Melissa: I’m not gonna rat out the person. That’s what I’m not gonna do.

Teresa: Then don’t say it Melissa!

Melissa to Joe: Let’s just go.

Jacqueline to Joe: The guy purposely tried to set her up. My friend was texting me the whole conversation with this guy. He was making it up.

Joe to Jacqueline: Why does she have to tell you to get you upset, to get me here?

Jacqueline to Joe: Maybe she wanted people to hear it.

Melissa: It’s disgusting. I’m sick to my stomach.

Joe to Kim D: You can’t even talk, you’re so drunk and high. Go sniff another line. Dirty ass fuckin’ whore.

Joe to Melissa: Where’s your car?

Melissa: Can someone get my mother fuckin’ car?

Melissa: Joe, it’s not even worth it Joe.

Melissa to Joe: Joe, it was your sister!

Joe: What!? Who?

Melissa: Your sister.

Joe: They did something here. They tried to set her up to make her look bad. I don’t go for that. Understand?

Jacqueline in TH: I was told by a mutual friend that Teresa knew two weeks prior that something was going to happen like this.

Lauren to Caroline: Ma, go over there so he doesn’t think you’re against him, please. Jacqueline, don’t stand alone!

Joe to Caroline: You came to support this woman. She’s gonna sniff this line (pointing down at the parking lot line) over there (Melissa, putting her hand over Joe’s mouth and yelling ‘Stop!’).

Caroline to Joe: Where’s your sister?

Melissa: She’s hiding somewhere. She stirs the pot to get you going (to Caroline)… it’s crazy! Teresa’s hiding somewhere and smiling in the back!

Jacqueline: Like what did she do to her that was so horrible that she has to be setup like that?

[Joe calls Jacqueline over to their car: Jacqueline! Jacqueline.]

Jacqueline: Yeah?

Joe: My sister was the one that came up to my wife and told her that?

Jacqueline: Yep.

Joe: Huh?

Jacqueline: I didn’t see that, I just heard the guy and my friend was texting me a play by play that the guy was saying to somebody in front of her that he was going to embarrass her. I definitely feel the guy definitely set her up because as he was saying in front of my friend too, he was saying that he was going to embarrass her and that (nods head and motions with hand, indicating ‘yes’ to the question).

Melissa: And was Teresa standing next to him when he said it?

Jacqueline has smug smile on her face but says nothing.

Melissa: Yes? So Teresa’s standing next to this man that says he’s gonna embarrass me and then she approaches me. Unbelievable! (as Jacqueline rubs her nose) I give up!

Joe: She wants to set my wife up. Set my wife up!

Jacqueline: I’ll send you the messages.

Joe: Alright.

Jacqueline: Ok, so you can see what they were saying. I don’t know if it’s true or not; it’s what I got on my phone, and I’ll send it to you and then you can look at it, OK?

Joe: Alright.

Jacqueline to herself: I don’t like the lying game.

Teresa to Jacqueline: Did you just tell her that I sold her out?

Jacqueline: I had a friend texting me the whole conversation, that guy saying he was going to embarrass and that he was purposely setting her up.

Teresa: What guy?

Jacqueline: The guy that said that about her.

Teresa: OK, I never met this guy in my entire life!

Jacqueline: He said you did and he said you saw him in the salon today or something like that.

Teresa: Yeah! That’s the first time I ever saw the guy

Teresa: So why did you go tell my SIL that I set her up when I had NOTHING to do with it WHAT SO EVER!

Jacqueline: I said she was SETUP. My friend said (Teresa interrupts).

Teresa: But you’re trying to help!?

Jacqueline: All I know is that I’ve been helping you the entire time, and my friend texted me and told me (Teresa interrupts).

Teresa: What friend?

Jacqueline: I’m not going to sell her out.

Teresa (exasperated): Oh my God!

Jacqueline: I have this whole conversation of this guy saying I’m going to embarrass her tonight and you were there.

Teresa: No, I swear to God on my kids her never said he was going to embarrass her. Ever ever ever!

Teresa to Jacqueline: So obviously there is somebody trying to set me up and maybe you’re involved!

Melissa: Yell out the window ‘Shame on you’ to your sister. Just do it. Say ‘Shame on you!’ Say ‘Shame!’

Teresa to Joe: Joe, he came to the fashion show. I didn’t know he was coming to the fashion show!

Melissa: You don’t ask me if I’m a dancer. That’s disgusting!

Teresa: I didn’t ask you!

The Teresa-Kim Set-Up
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 2:46 PM

First and foremost I want to thank all of you for tuning in each week to watch the saga unfold. It must be extremely frustrating not knowing a lot of the back story and the issues that went on with all of us way before the RHONJ even existed.

The fact is we’ve always had our issues and the Joes have always had theirs. I do think we were all trying to fake it until we made it, but in the last year or so it’s just all come to a head. I think the show is so successful, because what you’ve seen also goes on in so many of your own homes and with your own in-laws, cousins, siblings, and you understand where we are coming from.

I know there are so many questions that you all tweet to me (and all the Housewives for that matter), and while I would love to answer them all, I have three babies and Joe to take care of, so it’s just so hard to get to all of them and all the emails, but know that I appreciate you and I love you so much.

What I do want to assure you is that I am at home sitting at the island in my kitchen writing my blog. I know there is a lot of talk about how we don’t all write our own blogs, but it’s very important to me that you know this is coming from MY heart. This is not a dig. It’s the truth.

I think all of you have found comfort in the fact that what I say is real and the truth. Whether you love me or hate me, you know when I tell you something I’m going to give you an honest answer. I realize that is how I have grown so much with this show and have received such a huge amount of support after being on this show two years less than everyone else. My signings have been surreal, my Twitter followers are amazing, and the support for my music is more than I could have ever asked for. I have no intentions of ever disappointing anyone and stopping the real talk. I have read a lot of your questions and I’m going to try to answers the ones I see the most. Hope this is helpful to you.

Did I contact Danielle to get on the show?

NO! I’ve said it many times; she saw the sprinkle cookie story on Facebook and inboxed me. She did ask me to film with her, and I declined. Was it a little malicious? Yes. Teresa and I weren’t even speaking at the time, and it wasn’t because of the show. It was because of hurtful comments she used to say to me that I would constantly brush off. I always smiled at her and let it go. Yes, it sat in my head, and yes, a lot of the comments she used to make are very similar to the ones you’ve seen her say to me for the last two seasons.

The thing is I never threw the first punch. I pretty much took anything she threw at me in the beginning. I’m a smart girl and I knew her type from Day 1, but this is my husband’s sister, so what was I supposed to do? I dealt with it.

Then as Joe and I started really building our family and becoming more successful, Teresa and Juicy’s comments would become more and more hurtful. Sometimes I would brush them off and Joe just wouldn’t be able to. We would leave their house and just say, “What the hell was that?” Mind you this was years before the show.

So did I speak to Danielle? Yes. Did I meet with Danielle? No. To this day I have never met Danielle in person.

Did I ever try to get on the show before I was asked to be on it?

NO! I never once asked Teresa to put me or my family on the show. I’ve never called a producer and there was no audition tape where we said we will “take down” Teresa. If I had, I probably wouldn’t be on the show. They don’t cast people who beg and promise malicious things. As you can see, there are many desperate people on Twitter begging to be on the show. None of them get cast. It’s not Bravo’s style. The more you want it, the less likely you are to get it.

You didn’t see a lot of us because of the circumstances I just described above. You want real talk.

I remember when Teresa got offered the show. She was at my house for dinner and we were all discussing it as a family. Most were telling her not to do it. I told her to go for it. I said take the opportunity. If I had been jealous I wouldn’t have told her to go for it. I also called her and said congrats when she got it!

To be honest, I thought it would calm her down with me. I thought this would help her feel like she “wins” — that she is the best. I thought she would feel more secure now and stop coming at me so we could just be a family.

I was so wrong about that. It just got worse. Whatever little “need to be the best” bug that was inside of her was biting her harder. It started to become out of control.

The truth is a few years later the producers contacted me and we took that same opportunity.

Do I still think Teresa set me up?

Yes. Kim’s story has changed so many times since that night I can’t keep up. She did set me up, she didn’t set me up, there was no set up. Enough already. I think Kim D’s reason is so ridiculous for wanting to hurt me. She is a 50-year-old woman that is coming at me for going to another boutique. Would Kim really put all this time and effort into this set up just because of that? By the way, Teresa also shops at the other Posh and Kim knows it.

It was proven in the footage when Angelo said Teresa knew, because he also said “Kim and Teresa wanted me to do this thing.” Come on, everyone, lets be reasonable, there were a lot of things falling in both of their laps that day. The hair salon was just too convenient that day. Why couldn’t Teresa call me in between the hair salon and the fashion show? Give me a warning of what Kim was doing? The heart pounding, the blinks, the nervousness.

Then Kim D. comes to the reunion and admits Teresa knew it was a set up for me. It’s all right there, and honestly I know in my heart what she was doing. It’s written all over her face.

Of course she was in on it. More importantly, why isn’t Teresa mad at KIM? Why isn’t she mad at her for doing this to her brother’s wife? Why isn’t she upset with her for causing all this commotion when everything was so good between us? Why did Teresa just do a signing at Kim’s store after all of this? Why was Kim tweeting pictures last week out at nightclubs with Teresa? Seems Teresa is returning the favor.

Why am I selling my house?

There are some of the most ridiculous rumors out there that we can’t afford it and that we are broke. Joe and I have worked very hard for many years to get where we are today. When we first started the show, we only owned one building. Now we own four or five. Joe was the only one bringing in money for the last few years, because I didn’t work and I was with the kids. Now we are both bringing in money. Why on earth would anyone think we are in that position? It’s just ridiculous.

We do pay our mortgage and we are NOT broke. There is a wonderful thing called the internet where you can look up public records and find out what we paid for our house, the rate on our mortgage, pretty much everything.

The truth is this: we put our house up to get away from the negativity. I have to protect my family. I don’t want my children around anyone, including family that is speaking badly about me or trying to put me down. I see it happening already. I couldn’t believe what my nieces were saying about me, and as the girls get older it will only get worse. Then they will begin to tell my children what they hear about me from their mother. I can’t have that. I won’t have it. If you bring Zia Teresa’s name up to my children they never say a negative thing about her, and as long as I can help it they won’t. They know nothing about what is happening between us, and I would like to keep it that way for them as long as I can.

What’s next for the music?

I Just Wanna (feat. Santino Noir) is doing incredible on iTunes! Thanks to all of you! I’m so ecstatic that everyone loves it this much. I just released the video on Vevo and (Thank you, Jesus!) I’ve been blessed! I couldn’t be more excited about any of it. I just started working with someone huge in the music industry, so I’m excited to see where it goes. I truly feel like whatever is meant to be will be. If it succeeds even more, great! If it doesn’t, I love my life and my family, and I’m happy either way. That’s what is most important.

I love when people come up to me and tell me how they are following their dreams too now after watching me. I get choked up every time. I can’t explain how that makes me feel. But I tell everyone it can’t be everything. If it works, great, but you can’t be devastated if it doesn’t. I never live my life just around having business success. Having success in my home is the true money maker!

How do I keep in shape?

Well it’s never easy being on TV and worrying about your body. It’s hard to know everyone is looking at you a judging you every day. I honestly never diet. I eat healthy and I always use portion control. I eat a lot more than three times a day. I eat smaller portions throughout the day. I eat most of my carbs in the morning and at night I always want something sweet. If the cupcakes come two in a pack I’ll just eat one and save the other for tomorrow. I do work out three times a week, and no, I don’t do a lot of cardio. My children are my cardio. I run around with them all day up the stairs down the stairs — I am a human taxi. All I do is run around! I also have a lot of energy and don’t watch much TV. I’m very active so I’m always on the go. I love fruit, I love turkey, tuna, and salads. I eat one slice of pizza probably five days a week. It’s my favorite fast food. But just one slice and no pepperoni! When I go out for a drink on a Saturday night with Joe I always drink Voli Light Vodka. It is half the calories of all the other vodkas, and it is good! I don’t like drinking my calories, I’d rather eat them! For dinner I always make a piece of meat, a vegetable, and either rice or a potato of some kind. I will give the kids and Joe a full serving of the carbs, and I will eat half of whatever I gave them. Sundays are the exception! I eat all day! I eat a lot of pastas and whatever I want for desert. Best day of the week! Hope this helps a little.

Do I have a stylist?

No, I don’t. I do shop at certain boutiques and they will always help me figure out what to wear. If you follow me on Twitter I tweet about them a lot, so you can check them out! I don’t need much help in that department. I’ve always been lucky to know what looks good on me. I’ve always loved clothes, and I got best dressed in high school! LOL!

What beauty products do I use?

I just wrote a blog on my website all about my reunion makeup! I give you a list of products that I used. I love how many people are tweeting me pictures of their makeup! You all look beautiful! Keep them coming! I will start to blog more on my website about my favorite beauty products. I promise!

Hope that answers some of your questions. I’m really looking forward to this time off. My family needs it, and I truly believe time heals all wounds. Our family is not there yet. Joe and I still need some time to get over this. I don’t know if I ever will, but for now I just need a break from all the craziness. I’m excited to get started working on some new projects that I can’t wait to tell you about! I just booked a trip to Jamaica with Joe and the kids that I can’t wait for! I’m sure you need a break from all of us too! I can’t say thank you enough for all your support. I truly do love you all for it.

xoxo,

Melissa

Make sure to check in with my website for upcoming appearances.

I Just Wanna (feat. Santino Noir) is on iTunes!

The music video is on VEVO.

Follow me on Twitter @MelissaGorga and on Facebook.

Above is Jacqueline’s one-sided conversation with Teresa (all texts between her and Teresa since April 2012). “No teasing, no bits, just done. Sorry it looks like the texts are choppy but I had to take pics of them on my phone and then email them to myself and cut her phone number off the top of every screen. I didn’t leave anything out. It’s a huge one-sided conversation Jac is having with herself and it doesn’t make sense to me either.” – Teresa Giudice Clears Up Rumors