I don’t like being alone. The house is quiet except the talking cats and dog. Vito is still in Italy, Marc is in China and Michael went to Washington this week. Every inch of the garden is planted, raked, watered and fertilized. I know Vito will find tons of things I didn’t do while he was gone, but it all looks finished to me. Tomorrow I plan to visit some of my old haunts. I love the little shops on the back roads to the coast. I spent a fortune on gas for my car today. Its washed and the top is down. Marc and Michael put 2 brand new tires on it, so I’m excited about a mountain drive. I love living in California. Its just so beautiful. Maybe not a dramatic as the island in Italy, but I really love it here.
I have lived my life in beautiful homes in one of the most beautiful places in the world. I have been very lucky.

A friend of mine has had a bit of bad luck with a seller on ebay. She signed for a box that was supposed to contain a very expensive diamond ring. Well, the box was empty and the seller is already gone. She has filed claims with everyone and is taking it pretty well. Two years ago, I was scammed by a seller in Canada, I lost over $3,000.00. Paypal and ebay were no help at all. I filed claims for months, but ended up with nothing. It was a very difficult lesson. Now I am very careful and only buy from sellers with a lot of feedback.

I have seen other sellers on ebay, using photographs of my pieces. Just because a seller has a picture of an item, doesn’t always mean they have this item. The internet is such a wonderful way to find vintage and designer jewelry, but you have to be careful. I only sell pieces that I have collected and love. Many of these items I found at the little shops I visit. Many of them I bought at Tiffany, when I was working and had to have designer suits and jewelry. I still buy what I love, but most often I wear it with jeans. I have a huge diamond salamander brooch that I wear on my gardening apron. I love how it glimmers in the sun.