Circe's Valentine's Day GIVEAWAY

[Circe]

7 years ago, I had a dreadful breakup, and I wallowed for a little bit before realizing my unrequited crush on my best friend was pretty damned requited, having a whirlwind courtship, and getting married within the year. But while I was wallowing, I made a pendant.

It's sterling, shaped like a shield, has a skull and crossbones on one side, and the motto "Viri Sunt Viri" in Latin in the other side. It means "men are scum." My Classicist friends tell me it's actually a grammatically correct pun in Latin, and also, funny.

I wore it until I, you know, stopped being heartbroken, and then I gave it to a friend who had just had a dreadful breakup ... But not as a gift, because after you get better, where do you wear such a thing? I told her when her heart healed, she should pass it on to somebody else who needed it.

Well, the friendship ended - I haven't spoken to her in years - but she mailed it back to me at my office the other day. No note or anything: I can only hope that means she's found love. But the thing is, now *I* don't want it, twice over - both because I'm quite loving men at present, and because I don't want any reminders of the ex-friend lying around!

So. Any PriceScopers have friends suffering heartbreak who need a pick-me-up? Anybody off the LIW board currently experiencing the righteous rage of the newly single? Have a necklace. All I ask is, a) that you pay for the postage, and, b) pass it on (or ask the recipient to pass it on, if you're asking for a friend) once the heartbreak has passed, to somebody else who could use it. I'll send it out the next time I'm at the post office.* Hopefully, that means it should be there in time to brighten V-Day ....

* though, see my other thread ... I could use some shipping tips!

 

[rosetta]

Um AWESOME pendant!

I would totally want this if I was newly single.

 

[webdiva]

Oh my geisha, I love the idea that you're passing it on! It's like the traveling pants! can't wait to see who gets it and then passes it one, love your story and happy that you love men again!

I took Latin in high school and our teacher always loved the grammatically incorrect phrase "always wear underwear" - semper ubi sub ubi - it's really "always where under where"!

 

[princesss]

I actually do have a friend that could use it - constantly dating jerks, wants to be in a good relationship but, well...the dating scene down here is not exactly conducive to that. She could use a reminder and a little bit of strength.

 

[rosetta]

Viri sunt viri.


Love it.

 

[Rhea]

This is such a great idea! A couple months ago I'd have wanted it for my sister, it's totally her style! But alas, she healed and moved on.

All the best to the new owner!

 

[Aerix]

Wow, that's a beautiful pendant. I'm impressed you made that! And I love the idea of passing it on. FWIW, I just got divorced recently, but I don't think all men are scum! When it comes to shipping things, I like USPS' Priority Mail flat rate envelopes/boxes. You just take your item, put it in a little gift box with some bubble wrap around it (or you can just bubble wrap it with no gift box) put it in the envelope/box, tape it up, go to the post office and pay the flat rate or print out a label online. You don't have to weigh it if you're printing a label online. Just guess the weight (the max is 4lbs) and you can drop it off at the post office or have it picked up from your mail box. I also like to use delivery confirmation. It helps track the package sometimes. You can either affix a label from the post office (it's the green colored one) or if you print postage from online tracking is free.

 

[House Cat]

Circe, you are an amazing soul for creating such a pendant and passing it on.

 

[purplesparklies]

Love this!

Fortunately, I am not going through a difficult relationship or break-up. I am very blessed in my marriage. However, my poor baby sister is currently deployed to Afghanistan. She is in the Air Force. Her boyfriend of one and a half years is also Air Force and is deployed to Colombia. So, before they are deployed they discuss marriage and even future children. This is huge for my sister because she never planned to do either. She finally thinks she has found someone with whom it would be worthwhile to be married and have a family.

She was deployed first by several weeks. Her location is awful. She is tired and homesick. conditions are truly terrible. All was well relationship-wise. Then, he leaves. First he emails about the aggressive women there. Then, the women are beautiful. Colombia is gorgeous. Everything is wonderful and he seems to enjoy rubbing her face in it. She blows it off. (She is much nicer than I.) Then, out of the blue, he sends her an email about how her eggs are old and she won't be able to have his kids. He says he wants a wife who will stay home and be a mom. (My sister is 32 years old and career Air Force.) She is completely stunned by his email. Tries to have a mature discussion. Doesn't go well. He breaks up with her. She just (two days ago) found out that he met someone there. Not sure if it's a local woman or an Air Force woman. Doesn't really matter.

Now, she is completely devastated. I know she will get through this but she doesn't KNOW it yet. She is sleep deprived and ready to come home yet scared of dealing with real life without him in it. She doubts her instincts because she feels she should have seen this coming. She has to get his stuff out of her house. They work in the same department so she will have to see him daily. She was going to be home first so she could get her feet under her before having to face him but just found out he is returning early so he will be back before she is. She has no family near her home. She is in Texas. I am in Michigan. Yeah. We couldn't get further away and still be in the same country!

So, naturally I thought of my tough, strong, smart sister who is heartbroken. It kills me and I'd love to get my hands on her cowardly ex. I know of a great home for your masterpiece. She'd love it and it would bring a much needed smile to her face.

It has been cathartic for me to share here so thank you. Lots of worrying lately.

 

[Enerchi]

Circe - LOVE your necklace and the latin phrase!! What a great 'healing' tale!! Hope it finds a good home for the next little while...

and purplesparklies --- I think your sister could certainly live by the motto - Viri Sunt Viri - at this time, for sure!! That guy IS a scum!!! I would vote she could be a very worthy new owner of this pendant. I hope her heart heals and she gets safely thru her deployment ((((HUGS)))) for your sister (and you!)

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Wow Circe! That is the best idea ever!!! Such a kind heart for you to pass this on to a broken heart indeed!! Praise to you!

 

[purplesparklies]

Thanks enerchi. I appreciate it. Truly. It's been so difficult trying to raise her spirits from a world away.

 

[vc10um]

Thanks enerchi. I appreciate it. Truly. It's been so difficult trying to raise her spirits from a world away.

Sending you and your sister lots of love and happiness, purplesparklies! (Oh, and yay Michiganders!)

ETA: Circe! I can't believe I posted without mentioning how awesome that pendant is and how awesome YOU are for wanting to send it along to someone else! Big round of applause to you!

 

[tyty333]

Love this idea! I had a couple of times in my early years I would have loved to have this!

 

[Jennifer W]

Well, I like men a lot, so it isn't for me, but Circe, this is just awesome! I'm in awe at your skill (I know how hard that was to make, and it's very nicely done) and both touched and amused by the idea of its origins and new purpose.

I know I've said this before, but you rock. You really do.

 

[Circe]

Um AWESOME pendant!

I would totally want this if I was newly single.

Thanks, Rosetta!

Oh my geisha, I love the idea that you're passing it on! It's like the traveling pants! can't wait to see who gets it and then passes it one, love your story and happy that you love men again!

I took Latin in high school and our teacher always loved the grammatically incorrect phrase "always wear underwear" - semper ubi sub ubi - it's really "always where under where"!

Hee, I almost said that in the original post and then thought no one would get it - w00t! Also, your Latin teacher made me smile.

I actually do have a friend that could use it - constantly dating jerks, wants to be in a good relationship but, well...the dating scene down here is not exactly conducive to that. She could use a reminder and a little bit of strength.

Princess, you were first on the draw, but purplesparklies sister's situation just sounds so ... raw and infuriating and grotesque, that between the extreme douchiness of her ex and her serving in the armed forces, I'm kinda moved to send it off to her. Don't hate me?

Viri sunt viri.


Love it.

And I love that a doctor got it!

This is such a great idea! A couple months ago I'd have wanted it for my sister, it's totally her style! But alas, she healed and moved on.

All the best to the new owner!

Thanks, Rhea ... and I'm very glad to hear your sis recovered from her broken heart!

Wow, that's a beautiful pendant. I'm impressed you made that! And I love the idea of passing it on. FWIW, I just got divorced recently, but I don't think all men are scum! When it comes to shipping things, I like USPS' Priority Mail flat rate envelopes/boxes. You just take your item, put it in a little gift box with some bubble wrap around it (or you can just bubble wrap it with no gift box) put it in the envelope/box, tape it up, go to the post office and pay the flat rate or print out a label online. You don't have to weigh it if you're printing a label online. Just guess the weight (the max is 4lbs) and you can drop it off at the post office or have it picked up from your mail box. I also like to use delivery confirmation. It helps track the package sometimes. You can either affix a label from the post office (it's the green colored one) or if you print postage from online tracking is free.

Thank you! And, ha, this did not occur to me - the easy solutions so rarely do. I'll grab some of the boxes to have at home for prep next time I'm in the post office!

Circe, you are an amazing soul for creating such a pendant and passing it on.

Aw, thanks House Cat - I feel like I don't deserve the praise because I should be able to forgive and forget the ex-friend. But since I can't ... something nice ought to come of it.

Love this!

Fortunately, I am not going through a difficult relationship or break-up. I am very blessed in my marriage. However, my poor baby sister is currently deployed to Afghanistan. She is in the Air Force. Her boyfriend of one and a half years is also Air Force and is deployed to Colombia. So, before they are deployed they discuss marriage and even future children. This is huge for my sister because she never planned to do either. She finally thinks she has found someone with whom it would be worthwhile to be married and have a family.

She was deployed first by several weeks. Her location is awful. She is tired and homesick. conditions are truly terrible. All was well relationship-wise. Then, he leaves. First he emails about the aggressive women there. Then, the women are beautiful. Colombia is gorgeous. Everything is wonderful and he seems to enjoy rubbing her face in it. She blows it off. (She is much nicer than I.) Then, out of the blue, he sends her an email about how her eggs are old and she won't be able to have his kids. He says he wants a wife who will stay home and be a mom. (My sister is 32 years old and career Air Force.) She is completely stunned by his email. Tries to have a mature discussion. Doesn't go well. He breaks up with her. She just (two days ago) found out that he met someone there. Not sure if it's a local woman or an Air Force woman. Doesn't really matter.

Now, she is completely devastated. I know she will get through this but she doesn't KNOW it yet. She is sleep deprived and ready to come home yet scared of dealing with real life without him in it. She doubts her instincts because she feels she should have seen this coming. She has to get his stuff out of her house. They work in the same department so she will have to see him daily. She was going to be home first so she could get her feet under her before having to face him but just found out he is returning early so he will be back before she is. She has no family near her home. She is in Texas. I am in Michigan. Yeah. We couldn't get further away and still be in the same country!

So, naturally I thought of my tough, strong, smart sister who is heartbroken. It kills me and I'd love to get my hands on her cowardly ex. I know of a great home for your masterpiece. She'd love it and it would bring a much needed smile to her face.

It has been cathartic for me to share here so thank you. Lots of worrying lately.

WOW. My jaw actually dropped when I read this. Her EGGS are old, according to him? On top of his wanting a home-maker? He could have said that, which is bad enough out of the blue after a year+ in a relationship, without hitting below the belt like that. (I say as a woman about to turn 34, and hoping for more kids, btw.) He is the Hyena that Walks Like a Man, and I most sincerely hope that she can move past him and see that she deserves so much better. Consider the pendant hers - hit me through LoupeTroupe or ask the mods to contact me directly, and we'll go from there?

Circe - LOVE your necklace and the latin phrase!! What a great 'healing' tale!! Hope it finds a good home for the next little while...

and purplesparklies --- I think your sister could certainly live by the motto - Viri Sunt Viri - at this time, for sure!! That guy IS a scum!!! I would vote she could be a very worthy new owner of this pendant. I hope her heart heals and she gets safely thru her deployment ((((HUGS)))) for your sister (and you!)

Enerchi - thanks, and me, too!

Wow Circe! That is the best idea ever!!! Such a kind heart for you to pass this on to a broken heart indeed!! Praise to you!

Thanks, YT - like I said to House Cat, y'all are too nice. I just hope it carries only good karma with it. (I'm polishing it up before I send it on, and everything!)

Thanks enerchi. I appreciate it. Truly. It's been so difficult trying to raise her spirits from a world away.

Sending you and your sister lots of love and happiness, purplesparklies! (Oh, and yay Michiganders!)

ETA: Circe! I can't believe I posted without mentioning how awesome that pendant is and how awesome YOU are for wanting to send it along to someone else! Big round of applause to you!

Hey, you won't catch me complaining - that was my first thought, too! But thanks for coming back with such kind words.

Love this idea! I had a couple of times in my early years I would have loved to have this!

Heh, thanks TyTy! Maybe before I send it out I'll have a cast made, and it can be a PS tradition ....

Well, I like men a lot, so it isn't for me, but Circe, this is just awesome! I'm in awe at your skill (I know how hard that was to make, and it's very nicely done) and both touched and amused by the idea of its origins and new purpose.

I know I've said this before, but you rock. You really do.

Jen, from one silversmith to another, thank you! On all counts.

 

[purplesparklies]

Quote[
WOW. My jaw actually dropped when I read this. Her EGGS are old, according to him? On top of his wanting a home-maker? He could have said that, which is bad enough out of the blue after a year+ in a relationship, without hitting below the belt like that. (I say as a woman about to turn 34, and hoping for more kids, btw.) He is the Hyena that Walks Like a Man, and I most sincerely hope that she can move past him and see that she deserves so much better. Consider the pendant hers - hit me through LoupeTroupe or ask the mods to contact me directly, and we'll go from there? ]


THANK YOU! I know this will put a smile on her face, which puts a smile on mine.


I know, right. My jaw, too. She was completely blindsided. She is still reeling from this and it actually happened a month ago. I talk to her almost every night via Facebook messages. She is existing but that's about it. He completely hit below the belt. I told her that it's perfectly valid for him to want a stay-at-home mom but not to drop it on her like that when she is so career focused and always has been. I tell her that she dodged a bullet with this one. Imagine if she had married him or had his kids. UGH. I think her head recognizes it but her heart still bleeds.

Good luck with your family plans. I know the fear of being unable to conceive hits home for many women. I have been blessed with two wonderful boys and am thankful to be done with that part of my life. I was worried until mine were here and were healthy.

I truly wish you the best. I believe in karma and I know that the love you send out into the world will be returned to you.

I sent you a message via loupetroop.

 

[princesss]

Hate you? I read purplesparklies story and thought "HER! Send it to HER!"

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Argh!!! Damn him purplesparklies!!! Who the hell does he think he is!!! Stupid man, doesn't know what he is doing. I really hope your sister feels better! This necklace feels perfect for her!

 

[VRBeauty]

Circe - love your sense of humor and generosity.

Purple - huggs to you and your sister. I hope Circe's gift will lift her spirits, and that she'll be able to pass it on in the not-too-distant future!

 

[purplesparklies]

Argh!!! Damn him purplesparklies!!! Who the hell does he think he is!!! Stupid man, doesn't know what he is doing. I really hope your sister feels better! This necklace feels perfect for her!

My sentiments exactly, YT! Thank you!

VRBeauty, thank you! I certainly hope it brings a smile to her face and her spirits. Passing it on soon would be wonderful! Perhaps it's a relationship talisman, bringing true love to those who wear it. Seems to have worked so far!

 

[pregcurious]

His stuff isn't so young either. At least your sister found out before she married him. So sad.

 

[JaneSmith]

Circe, what a sweet thing to do! Nice skills you have there too, miss silversmith.
Purplesparklies, I hope your sister likes the pendant. What a turd that man is!

 

[CharmedOne]

Circe what a great idea! How sweet it that, you are such a sweet gal I have a lot of sterling pieces that I want to find a good home for but not sell because my sister in laws are sick of my giving them jewelry every time they come lol. I need to join a mom group or something. My youngest is going to school full time next school year, so hopefully I find something to get into then.

 

[purplesparklies]

Circe! Package received and it's so perfect! Can't wait for my sis to see it! I can't find your email. Please email me with your Paypal info so I can cover the postage. Thank you!

 

[Circe]

Woohoo! I am delighted to hear that it got there safely, and that you like it. Shipping didn't cost much - consider it a gift, and I hope it puts a smile on your sister's face, and brings her luck in love. With what she's had to deal with, she deserves it!

 

[purplesparklies]

Woohoo! I am delighted to hear that it got there safely, and that you like it. Shipping didn't cost much - consider it a gift, and I hope it puts a smile on your sister's face, and brings her luck in love. With what she's had to deal with, she deserves it!

Thank you so very much! I know it will bring a smile to her face and I pray that it brings her luck in love. Your kindness is so appreciated and I hope you will enjoy being the recipient of much kindness and love in return!

 

[minousbijoux]

PS - the suspense is killing us - please give it to her soon!

 

[StacylikesSparkles]

PS - the suspense is killing us - please give it to her soon!

Agreed! I've been watching this hoping that we can hear some feedback form your sister!

 

[purplesparklies]

My sis is currently going through the process of returning to the states and eventually to her home. This is a much more involved, lengthy process than one would assume. Our government at work. :-/ As soon as she is home, I'll be getting this in the mail to her, I promise! Unfortunately, I have to wait until she has actually arrived as there is no firm arrival date. Every step could take X number of days OR it could take up to Y number of days. So frustrating.

I will report back!