Thankfully Another Successful Surgery...

I speak of my family often.

And of Hubby in particular...

You see he has been incredibly supportive of me throughout our friendship, relationship and marriage and especially through the last incredibly tough two years since I was layed off after 20 plus years working in Telecom and Data as a Project Manager.

I looked at the time off as temporary and an opportunity to make a go of my fledgling online jewelry business while collecting unemployment for the first time in my life.

But then the economy hit the skids...and it became increasingly difficult for me to gain the ground I imagined in the glut of online crafters and jewelry designers. So, what to do?  Find a "real" job and continue my jewelry venture on the side as before - that was what I needed to do.

Long story short...I haven't been able to find a job, and all of the terrible things that happen when your household income drops in half are happening to hubby and me.  I will spare you the details, because we all know what they are and the point of my story isn't that...it is how incredibly HARD it is on a marriage and how INCREDIBLE hubby has been in in handling all of this without turning his back on me or us.

He had a successful surgery today to open blocked arteries in both his legs...Three months ago he had his second prostate surgery in three months time.  If he has his way, he will be at work on Monday morning overseeing contractors with our local Housing Authority (from whom he retired from full time work 7 yrs ago) to ease some of our financial difficulty.

Tonight at the hospital hubby's blood pressure was sky high.  I worry about how "hanging in there" is wearing on him. I sit here tonight and wonder what it will take to put some of the pieces of our life back together so that we can be well both physically and mentally. 

While I'm soul searching, any input would be highly valued. 

Valentines Day is coming...I Love you Hubby!

Solitary Sunday, World War I Souvenir of France SILK Apron, Vintage Linens...and more

As Hubby is helping eldest son in his kitchen design, I am taking a restful day puttering through my blogs and catching up on others news as well as my own. With the help of others I have experienced a huge increase in hits to my Etsy shop which will hopefully translate to Holiday shopping and sales.
Specifically, thanks to Heather of Misty Ridge Designs http://mistyridgedesigns.blogspot.com/ for sponsoring one of my semi-precious gemstone rings in her blog giveaways. There is still ONE week to go, so it isn't too late to sign up to win this beauteous Pink Tourmaline, White Sapphire, Sterling Silver Ring! Just click on the url and look on the left column for "blog giveaway".
C'mon - it's a win-win for sure.
On to other fronts...I have been listing and selling Vintage Linens for a dear family friend who is caring for her Mom in assisted living. Mom is suffering from Alzheimers disease. Assisted living is very costly and all self pay in this case so the family is liquidating all assets to keep Mom in the very best care. My ebay shop is chock full of Tablecloths, Napkins, Tea cloths, Pillow Cases, Scarves, Runners, Doilies and more.
One of my featured articles up for auction and very, very special is a Post World War I "Souvenir of France" silk apron.  It is one of the very delicate embroidered types made out of the most fine of silks and is in exceptional condition. Please check out my auction and/or spread the word to any of your acquaintances that collect Antique items from the Post World War I era.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350261133698&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Isn't it just gorgeous?

The bid price is really low right now with no reserve. Check it out!
So, what else is new?
Today feels like a comfort food day. It's in the low 60's but will drop very low tonite.  Maybe some hot soup or stew for dinner?  Kale soup with Portuguese sausage (Linguica) would be wonderful. Do any of you deliver? (sm)
I guess that's it for now.
Love to all...

Janaes Jewels...Who Am I?

You probably wouldn't guess, but I am a Project Manager by trade.  Oh, an UNemployed Project Manager that is.  I was an early victim of our economy fall out early in the fray back in February of 2008. I worked in data and telecom for Strategic Products and Services in New Jersey>Netversant New England in Boston, MA>Avaya in Braintree, MA>Expanets in Braintree, MA>Lucent Technologies in Providence RI>AT&T General Business Systems in Boston, MA>AT&T Communication>Middleboro, Taunton and Wareham, MA.
From 1986 - 2008 I was a mover and shaker for AT&T and did what I called the AT&T Shuffle.  In other words, I did the jobs I needed to do where they needed to be done and at whatever time they needed to be done.  Originally my motive was for the promise of a pension and benefits.  But as you can see from my "spin" as the mother company AT&T went public and started to split...and split...and split... I ended up far from home, traveling way too much and working more than a double 40 hour work week.

Lost my pension...worked harder to make up for it

Companies bought and sold...worked harder to make up for it

Industry went BUST...still working harder TRYING to make up for it

What has this to do with anything?  Well, after years of working all of my faculties to the bone I have been trying to make my "passion" be my bread maker.  You see, jewelry making was a relaxing way for me to unwind in an anonymous hotel room after a grueling day with my clients...
My sister Kate and I started with "Kates Kreative", she being the beader and me the business woman and stone setter. Kate has the passion I do, but not the drive, so eventually we parted ways and I became the one woman show that I am today.  I do understand the difference between us...Kate gives up easily and I am too thick headed to give up! So, I'm still here, for the duration and I'm counting on all of you, dear readers, to help me stay here.

I am thrilled with the crossover of bloggers from Misty Ridge Designs to me here whilst trying to win the donated Pink Tourmaline Ring I sponsored to Misty Ridge. Heather's Misty Ridge's button is here on my blog.  Jump on over and check out the give away's requirements and take a chance.  That's what life is all about - right?

Besides, the holidays are coming and this is a really pretty ring that any female in your life would appreciate - especially if that particular female has an October Birthday (like me...10/18 ).
So, this is a small piece of who I was to make me who I am today...

Peace...OUT