By Chandra Clewley

“When Times Get Tough, the Tough Go Shopping”

The season premier of The Real Housewives of Orange County begins with Vicki Gunvalson going skydiving with her kids Brianna and Michael. Vicki, who decides to go for it, jumps with her daughter while her son stays on the ground, and like most of our California Mom’s hits the ground saying “done” and being glad it is over, not really so excited that she did it!

Jeana Keough, whose seems a bit “empty nest” this season, is talking with Colton, her youngest son (17) about his car, which needs a new clutch. Jeana’s income is down 2/3 because of the real estate market, and she admits she is not good on a budget but it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks.  She thinks she and Colton might have to downsize from her 9,000 sq. ft house to a 5,000 sq ft house, if she can sell the one she is in…

Tamra Barney is throwing a wrap party for her daughter’s class, and has hired photographers and has a red carpet.  It is an adorable spread but irritable Simon snaps at her when her friend makes a joke about “tea bagging.” This looks like a bad sign. Apparently, things are not going great at Fletcher Jones for Simon.  One tends to believe that perhaps Tamra is spending the same amount but Simon isn’t making the same amount he used to make…

Gretchen Rossin is cleaning out her garage and says that when Jeff died she was devastated. At the time her friend of 8 years, Slade Smiley (ala Jo De La Rosa AND Lauri Waring) was there to help her out and they ended up being together. Gretchen says she believes that Jeff brought Slade and she together but still feels like it might be too early to be with him.

We find Lynne Curtin has hired a new sales girl for her jewelry line and has decided it is just water under the bridge that Vicki slammed her for not knowing how to work last season (umm….what???). She is moving on with her jewelry line and hoping to bring income to her family, while her husband’s business has slowed since the recession.

Vicki finally admits that her husband Don was actually upset (and a human being) when Vicki threw him under the bus last year, saying that her “love tank” was empty. She has since realized that it isn’t just HER love tank, but Don’s that was empty and he needed love too. They seem to be getting along a lot better now and have decided to work harder on their marriage.

Tamara and Vicki meet for lunch and catch up. Turns out that Jeana and Vicki had a falling out because Jeana had asked Vicki for a loan. Vicki had turned her down. They haven’t spoken since. Also, Tamra talks about the rumors surrounding Gretchen, and her nude photos on the Internet.

Later Lynne and Tamra work out together and Lynne asks Tamra if she will attend a little party at the St. Regis for her jewelry line even though Gretchen will be there. Tamra concedes. Lynne also mentions the plastic surgery she will be getting soon, looks like a facelift is in her future.

Tamra is convinced that Gretchen was having an affair while Jeff was sick with cancer and the rumors were flying that Jeff paid Gretchen to be with him in his final days, (which may be true, but its hardly Tamra’s business!)

Gretchen admits that after Jeff’s death she was in a dark place and allowed some horrible photos of her to get leaked to the press and Internet sites. She says that when you lose someone you love, that some bad things can happen. She and Jeff’s kids now share ½ his ashes.

Lynne wants Gretchen to give Tamra one more shot….Gretchen can’t believe someone like Tamra deserves a second shot.
While Tamra is getting ready for the Lynne’s jewelry party, her husband Simon comes in and makes sure her outfit looks okay and decent, and asks her to “show some class.”

Lynne has her jewelry party and all of the girls come. The tension is thick as Jeana and Vicki haven’t spoken since, according to Jeana, Vicki took her property management/real estate to someone else and according to Vicki, Jeana asked to borrow money.
Gretchen is there to support Lynne but when Tamra starts at her, she fires back.

Vicki won’t wear one of Lynne’s jewelry creations saying she isn’t “in to the biker look”.
Tamra finally says that Gretchen “preys on old men”. And plays “the victim”.
While Gretchen actually asks Tamra to “shut the F up” in not so nice of words.

I can hardly wait to meet Alexis Bellino! The newest Real Housewife of the OC, she looks gorgeous and seems to carry her own against Vicki! Catch her next week!

Don’t miss the The Real Housewives of Orange County next Thursday at 10 p.m. on Bravo!

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

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