As you might have noticed, ebay is letting me list my vintage Tiffany jewelry. I had a really nice phone call and letter from one of the big shots at Tiffany, back east. He was really very kind and we had a delightful visit. He wanted to let me know, personally, that they are aware of my collection and know it is all authentic. He also told me that they are aware of my efforts to rid ebay of all the counterfeit Tiffany jewelry. I report a lot of pieces and I actually thought that was why I was kicked off…Anyway, I was thrilled to make this friend at Tiffany and he assured me that I can contact him anytime. He doesn’t know what a pill I can be. He’ll find out

My darling Chialing was one of the brides of 7/7/07. I cried all day. She told me that I am crying in every single picture. I really love her and hoped she and Marc would find their way back together. Well, you never know… We did most of the food ourselves. I was at the church at 10:00 am and she had helpers from the church to help. It was a big production. I guess there were about 300 people. At first I felt very self conscience. Her mom was there, from Taiwan. At this point everyone was Asian and I thought they might not accept me. They couldn’t have been kinder. It was a long day and I was an emotional wreck, but we got through it. Chialing looked like a princess. Chailing’s mother is going to become a Buddhist nun. She is deeply spiritual and sad, but so lovely. She spent the day here, with me and even though we are very very different, we are both moms. She invited me to stay at the monastery, in Taiwan. I think I would like that. They wear no jewelry…I tried to tone it down.

Catherine graduated from university and we had a great party for her. Her family is very much like ours. It felt like one huge happy family. It was one of the nicest parties we have ever had. We put our big table in the back yard and Vito grilled on his Fathers Day grill. Lots of wonderful wine, food and of course, homemade lemoncello. Even Catherines 90 year aunt came. She is a darling Irish nun who lives in Texas. We had a big cake for Catherine and her twin sister Sarah, who graduated a few weeks earlier. Catherine leaves for an 8 month dig in Ireland, so Mike drove down to see her off.

It feels like everyone is so far off…Vito is in Italy, Marc is still on his big adventure in Russia, Catherine off to Ireland. I want to keep everyone close. Mike is close and doing a great job of including me in his projects. He knows how easily I can become a recluse. My dear friend Ann calls me everyday and if I don’t answer the phone, threatens to come over. We go out at least once a week, to the same coffee shop in Palo Alto. We’ve been going for years.

This weekend, I have plans to visit with a friend who moved to Santa Cruz. There are fewer tiny shops, but I still love the out of the way places. Hopefully, I’ll find some treasures. I have received two interesting collections that I will be going through and posting. A few good pieces of old Tiffany, so I’m happy about that. Enough to keep me busy. Still, I feel restless…

I made cherrycello, gingercello and pineapplecello. We tried the gingercello. Sweet & Yummy. Vito will be surprised when he sees the line up of liquor…I think the cherrycello would be delicious warm, over vanilla ice cream.

One of the best things about spending my life in the same town is also one of the worst. Everyday, I see people from my past. This can be a wonderful treat or a reminder of some very wild times.

A few months ago Vito and I were having Chinese food in town. This lady turned around and said, “I know that voice…” It was my high school Spanish teacher, Miss Prescott. I couldn’t believe she remembered me, but then she told Vito and her dinner companion about how I used to ride a motorcycle up and down the halls at my high school. Then she explained that not only did I drive sports cars and motorcycles, but I liked to do this in a yellow bikini..Vito was surprised to hear to about this part of my past. Of course, I still drive a sports car, but sold my motorcycles when I became pregnant with Marc. Still, I am tempted, every now and then, to take Michaels motorcycle for a ride. No bikini…

So, yesterday morning, at the garden center, I ran into the mother of my high school boyfriend. I have seen her over the years. Her daughter was my best friend and maid of honor. As I said, its a small town. We went for coffee and caught up with each other. The things she remembers are amazing. Our parents were so scared of the boys getting drafted, that I think they put up with a lot from us. My mother always said, that was a difficult time. High school and the few years of college are hard for me to remember. I felt like my life really took shape when I started in the car business and had a family. Before that, its a happy blur…

My old friend did remember one thing about those days…I always wore good jewelry..Its been a passion as long as I remember and its so much fun for me. I am expecting a piece of vintage Picasso to be delivered this weekend. I have been working on getting this diamond brooch for almost 2 years. When it was first introduced  years ago, at Tiffany, they had it in the small display window and I just stood there in a trance. I can’t wait told hold it and wear it. What I love about this brooch is that is decorated with Paloma Picasso’s most famous designs, all in diamonds! I doesn’t get much better!!! Everyone will have to wear sun glasses just took look at it. I am very excited.

The manager from Trader Joes called an apologized, but I can’t let it go. Like an argument with friend, I need to feel like I’m making a point…

One of my cats, Joker, brought me baby bunny. Michael came over and gently put him in a box. We bought a rabbit hutch and food, but a few hours later he passed away. I named him Nutty 2. I am amazed that a tiny creature came into our lives and made us love him so much in just one day. I am so sad that we couldn’t save him. Now that Michael has a rabbit house, he will give shelter to a homeless rabbit. I raised two very gentle and kind boys. When the boys were growing up we had so many animals living with us. I loved our busy home. I miss those days so much.

I went to a big jewelry sale at The Discovery Store. I enjoy these sales, always find some treasures and its all for a good cause. The ladies who work there and very nice and its a pleasure to go there. I bought a necklace signed: Jay Feinberg. It is beautifully made. When I got home I looked up Jay Feinberg and it turns out that the designer Jay Strongwater used to be called Jay Feinberg. I was amazed! I love learning new things.

The manager from Trader Joes called an apologized, but I can’t let it go. Like an argument with friend, I need to feel like I’m making a point…

One of my cats, Joker, brought me baby bunny. Michael came over and gently put him in a box. We bought a rabbit hutch and food, but a few hours later he passed away. I named him Nutty 2. I am amazed that a tiny creature came into our lives and made us love him so much in just one day. I am so sad that we couldn’t save him. Now that Michael has a rabbit house, he will give shelter to a homeless rabbit. I raised two very gentle and kind boys. When the boys were growing up we had so many animals living with us. I loved our busy home. I miss those days so much.

I went to a big jewelry sale at The Discovery Store. I enjoy these sales, always find some treasures and its all for a good cause. The ladies who work there and very nice and its a pleasure to go there. I bought a necklace signed: Jay Feinberg. It is beautifully made. When I got home I looked up Jay Feinberg and it turns out that the designer Jay Strongwater used to be called Jay Feinberg. I was amazed! I love learning new things.

I received my first negative feedback in over 7 years. Its new buyer who bought 5 items from me. He didn;t read the description for an old Peretti bracelet. So, rather then just ask for a refund, he left a negative feedback saying the bracelet was small. Ya think??? The description clearly says 6.2 inches long. I am so frustrated. I will ban him from my auctions, of course, but I am so tempted to leave 5 negative feedbacks..He only has 9. That will give him under 50%…Oh, its so tempting…What to do??? I haven’t even left him one negative feedback. Why didn’t he just ask to return it?? I am so mad, I’m spinning!!!

I am feeling much better, with the help of pain medicine, when I remember to take it. Michael, Catherine and I laid one ton of Arizona pink flagstone. No jewelry…Its the same flagstone we had at the house where I grew up and I raised the boys. My brother, Mark and the boys and I put down 4 1/2 tons of it! That was a huge project! Michaels backyard is gorgeous. He told me its starting to remind him of our old house that we loved so much. I think they are very happy there.

Its too bad Marc and Vito are both out of the country right now. Marc would have carried that ton of rock, by himself in about 15 minutes. Vito would still be measuring and looking for the best deal. Not to mention, hollering at us that we do everything backwards. Oh, I miss them so much…I think they will be very impressed when they see all of the changes at Michaels new house. The guest cottage is ready for paint. Catherine and I put texture over the new sheet rock. It was such a mess and now its bright and beautiful.

Michael convinced me to go to the dentist to have a chipped tooth repaired. I ended up with an excruciating root canal. I am in so much pain right now, my head is pounding… I wanted to mention that I didn’t wear jewelry to the dentist. I am  convinced the dentist would try to “up-sell” me on some fancy dental work if she thought I could afford it. So, here I am, the pain medicine is not working and I am dizzy with pain.

I have always felt that jewelry should be appropriate to the event. Business dress: pearls, gold, diamonds, Rolex watch. Casual: Big diamonds, colored stones, Tiffany gold Atlas watch.  Evening: BIG diamonds, no watch…I have a few pieces that I wear all the time, but I enjoy wearing different earrings and bracelets.

If you see a Discovery Store, try to stop in and look at the jewelry. Sometimes you will find an interesting piece of jewelry that some kind person has donated to a good cause. I like the idea of contributing while buying something wonderful. The ladies who work there are usually very sweet and happy to share their knowledge of  vintage jewelry.

Time for pain medication…Oh, one more thought…I was told years ago, if you wear emeralds to sleep, you will have vivid dreams. I have such vivid dreams anyway, I never really noticed a difference. I would love to hear any thoughts on stones and their interesting properties.