I rarely tell this story… it still hurts a bit.  But, it was an amazing adventure, for sure, so it is worth the retelling and hopefully the healing.

First let’s start with the Robert Redford part.

In 2001, I was at the Sundance Resort, by myself, skiing.  Since I was by myself, I had the opportunity to study the place.  In doing so, I came up with some ideas that I thought would really help improve things (Not that it was bad, it wasn’t.  In fact, it was great!  But my marketing background was kicking in and I saw lots of potential.)

I sought out the Manager to give him my thoughts.

By some stroke of luck, I found the manager – by knocking on a door that said, “Manager” – …  and he listened to me.  He then told me that he was actually RR’s business partner, not the resort manager.  He then went on to say that he really loved my ideas and would I like to come back and interview for the Sundance Resort Director position?

Can you believe that?!

I couldn’t either!  I was on cloud 9!!  What a dream opportunity!

So, I went home for a week, and prepared…

This is where the diamonds come into the story.

You see, I had recently purchased a pair of oval diamond studs from an estate jeweler that I knew.  They were simply lovely.  And, as he told me, ‘ovals were rare and the most unusual shape in diamonds’.  I’m not sure if that is still true, but it was at the time.

Anyway, I absolutely loved these oval diamond studs.  They were my treasures and I had worked hard to purchase them.

At the same time, I had a friend who was a jeweler.  She knew I was going back to Sundance for this huge interview and she called me…

“Please let me re-set those ovals for you!   They deserve a special setting,  they will look stunning and you will feel glorious… and this way, you will have a piece of me with you during the interview!”

How could I resist?

So my dear friend, Lisa Chuman, created a platinum dangly setting for my beautiful ovals – and I packed them for my trip.

They flew me back to Sundance right before the Film Festival.  The town was hopping!

I can distinctly remember the night before as I sat in my room at the resort, waiting to interview with Robert Redford, his son and the Board of Directors.   I remember thinking, “How could this possibly be happening?!” and “Of course this is happening…!  and then, “Don’t blow it!”

I couldn’t sleep.  I put on my two outfits and tried to decide which made me feel more comfortable.

I woke up far too early, couldn’t eat, put on my outfit and lucky earrings… and went to my interview.

They were all there (Robert Redford, his son, lots of other important people…) somewhat overwhelming, to be honest.

I have never been starstruck.

But as I sat at the head of this huge round table, brimming with expectant important people…

…I was ‘opportunity struck’, if you know what I mean.  Here was my chance to shine and get that dream job!!!

To be honest, I have hardly any recollection of the actual meeting.  I can remember arriving and departing, but I can’t quite remember anything from the actual meeting.  My last memory was all of them staring straight at me.  And then, nothing.  I know I spoke and delivered all the materials I had brought along with me… but for the life of me, I have no real memories of those moments.

Which may be why….

I didn’t get the job.

At the time, I thought I had done really well.

But, the offer didn’t come and I was devastated.  Crushed.  I had failed to impress Robert Redford.  I had failed to secure the dream job.  Totally heartbroken.

And I never wore the earrings again.

Back to the earrings and Annie…

I’m sure the earrings had nothing to do with the outcome of my adventure.  But, to me, they are a symbol of all of my hopes and dreams during those hours.  And I just cannot wear them – still.

So, I figured I should donate them to Annie.  …Better than sitting in a safe.

I have the appraisal:  $12,000.  (Whomever purchases the earrings can have the appraisal for insurance purposes.)

I’m going to figure the appraisal as high and then slash that in half to give a very fair value of $4500.

Long Term SUPPORT of ANNIE and her unborn foal.

Annie is the unknown pregnant mare I took in because she was part of the 56 we rescued last month – but she didn’t have a home.  She was the only one that had nowhere to go.

Bringing Annie in was an opportunity to use the Foundation.  These earrings can help create long term funding for her and her unborn foal – and in this way, I don’t have to keep asking for donations.    I figured the earrings would be an easy way to secure funds for quite a while and also give a reader a very, very good deal.

The purchase of the earrings is not a donation – by law.  It is a purchase.  This is like buying an item at a Charity auction.  The purchase is not tax deductible, BUT, the total amount will go into our 501 foundation to support Annie.  Your receipt will indicate that the entire amount goes into the Foundation for Annie.

*If you’d like to help support Annie in the regular way – and receive a tax deductible receipt for your donation, that is fine, too!  Just click here and make a donation in any amount!  (Thank you!)

Annie may have gotten her sponsor!  News coming soon!