Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Diamonds are Forever



Oh James...

I'm not going to lie: Sean Connery is my favourite Bond.



And how fitting that the very week that I get my first pair of diamond earrings happens to be the very same week that Mr. Bond on film turns 50.

While I did not have a Bond film fest like my friend GetFresh, I may yet have one and I can assure you that Mr. Connery, he of the old country and devilish grin, will figure prominently...As will my earrings.

So, to borrow the musical phrasing of my beloved Frank Sinatra: "Why For Did I Get Diamond Earrings in the October of my 49th Year?"

Well.

27 years ago, I married very young and wanted a pearl ring, since (and i am not kidding here!) a pearl ring was what Anne Shirley wanted from Gilbert.  I know, I am a romantic and I was REALLY a romantic when I was 22 years old!  Hard to imagine as I am such a smart ass now!

So I got my pearl ring, which had two wee diamond scraps (I don't think you could describe them as diamonds - you had to squint in the right light to see that they were in fact diamond-like?  Or was that diamond light?) on either side of the pearl.  My husband paid $125 for the ring.  I could show you the ring, but it fell apart many years ago.

So recently, his parents decided to gift all of their children with a small amount of money.  It was not so great a sum as to be invested or to pay off debt.  It was not so small as to be insignificant. After much discussion, we decided to divide the sum equally between  practical matters and ones more prosaic.

So - we will invest some to finish the laundry room reno.  I will not bore you with that reno, as frankly, it deserves its own post and when the time comes, I will cast myself in the role of Barbara Stanwyck in some weepy 40s melodrama.  But that is not for today, but for antother day when I will warn you in advance and you can put a little Baileys in that coffee..

And husband asked if he could begin the journey of getting his pilot license.  While I have natural tendencies to be a dreamsucker (oh blame my mother - she perfected this!) and am not thrilled with him spending scads of money over the next three years to fly through the air with the greatest of ease, and am afraid to fly (though I do) I agreed, since it has been his dream for his whole life.

In return he wanted us to use some of the money to buy something frivolous for  me as well.  I digress here for a moment - him getting his pilot's license may not prove frivolous in 10 years when our pilot has a massive heart attack on our way to the winter place in Gstaad and he steps in and takes the controls.  Who will have the last laugh then  Not the pilot, that's for sure! 

What did I need?

Well.  I always kind of hankered for diamond earrings.  I wanted a simple pair.  I wanted solitaires and I wanted them to be expensive and not large.  Fortunately for me, the son has taken up with a lovely girl whose mother runs the nicest jewellry store in town.  And while I do not know anything about diamonds, I felt I could trust her to steer me right.  And she did.  And furthermore, she gave me a 30% discount, which meant that my money went further (she must think we could be in-laws someday!)  And I turn 50 in January, so it seemed kind of appropos (appropos of what?  You decide!) to get nice earrings now.

They are lovely little beauties:




It is amazing how something so small can be so expensive?


And here they are on:



They sparkle and shine and make me very happy!!

So - I waited till I was 49 to get real diamonds.  And I grabbed them whilst I could before I had two in university at the same time!

I am not sure if they are, in fact, frivolous.  We were not a family that could afford significant gifts after I gave birth to our two children (and one of them was over 10 pounds at birth!) so I think this is the reward of being married quite awhile and raising two good people.

I know what James thinks of all of this:



"No need to wear anything but the diamonds, dear"  I will leave the door of the stateroom unlocked, James.

Have a most happy Tuesday and stay safe out there!

35 comments:

  1. Those are beauties, congratulations! I can hardly imagine your smiles to be brighter than they've always been.

    There are times when I think we are having the same life ... you like shiny things, I like shiny things. Just this past weekend I was discussing 007 with husby and in-laws and I explained why Sean is the quintessential and my favorite. And never wanting them before, I am also getting my first diamond studs at my ripe old age.

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    1. Oh Tiffany Rose - that is so cool! The only difference is you look like a fashion model and live in a warm place, I am a cute tiny woman who lives in a place that is not so warm!!!! Yay for you on the diamond earrings!

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  2. Oh and fabulous post ... so fun to read!

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  3. This is so beautifully written, and funny too, I giggled all the way through. What a lovely gift to receive, I can't believe you'll be 50 next year, I'll be 49 - how can this be so?
    I've already started thinking about what I want for my 50th but can't think of anything. The two "frivolous" things I really, really wanted I saved up for - it took two years each time, and I didn't spend a single penny on anything else, but actually I couldn't care less about them now, I'm odd that way
    You know, now I think I just don't want to scrimp like that ever again! Oh but hang on, it would be a gift wouldnt it? Hmm, no, still nothing.

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    1. "they" say (who are "they" anyway?) that the best purchase is a trip - you spend the money and you always have the experiences and memories as opposed to things, which are more temporal. However, I put diamond studs in a different category as believe (though i have not much to speak of!) that fine jewellry is forever as opposed to clothing, which goes in or out of style or you get tired of.

      I am thinking of my 50th a lot these days. As the day gets closer, I will probably torture you all with my torture! I am going to NYC in March - maybe he and I will leave all of the young people travelling with us (4!) aside for an evening and go to a very fine restaurant. Maybe I will do a "make a wish" and Get Mickey to tour me through the J Crew head office! Mickey and I were writing last night night about my skirt - will post on that later this week!

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  4. What a nice post,so romantic.

    I am not a big jewelery\diamant girl,except i adore bracelets.I actually own a couple of diamant rings and studs,but they are too dainty for me.My husband got me the cartier trinity ring for our anniversery a couple years ago and i am not wearing it as much a i should.


    The earings look lovely and are such a nice sentiment!

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    1. Ina - I am willing to wear them sometimes for you if you would like! :-)

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  5. I love them, they are very much like mine actually. My husband gifted mine to me after I had our daughter over 10 years ago. Classic diamond studs are a treasure and will never fail you!
    Over 10 pounds! My gosh. I've had big babies too, but you've got me beat. And you're so tiny!
    And I laughed all through this as well, you're hilarious, what a gift to us you are!

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    1. Thanks Dani!

      I stopped after #2 - the doctor told me this is what happens when the poodle breeds with the great dane and the poodle has the baby - not pretty...

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    2. WMM - that is the funniest thing I've ever heard!

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    3. I assume you stopped because you were taking your time finding a new doctor who respected women. Reminds me of the doctor who told me my persistent cough was stress-related because I was doing too much and needed to quit job and relax. At the ER a few weeks later, I was still coughing and they diagnosed pleurisy.

      It's funny, in the US we cherish the myth that Canadian health care is quick, personal and wonderful, but my Canadian ex-pat friends, including nurses who are the ones who really know, love US health care.

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    4. WFF it is a constant question between you get what you pay for and fewer people falling totally through the cracks. Plus our GPs are relatively poorly paid by the gov. so many heading south. Personally I think a lot of docs, everywhere, need seminars in 101 social/ patient interaction skills.

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    5. Well, although politically incorrect, thought it was quite funny, as baby had the head the size of a pumpkin and was taking his good old swwet time...

      I never mind the absurd, but that is because that is where I live!

      As for docs - all good unless you really need quick service and then good luck.

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  6. How perfectly lovely! I hope they sparkle for you through many happy times!

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    1. Thanks Fred! I am still cursing you because I need that purple-y colour now! :-)

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    2. Fred, I envy your ease with words. You always find a right way to say things, darn.:))

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    3. Slastena - Fred is indeed the most erudite! I don't know what you do for a living, Fred, but I suspect it involves high thinking and good grammar and critical thought! :-)

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    4. you both are such perfect ladies, kind and gracious and charming --thank you so much!

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  7. They are so gorgeous and suit you well. Nicely done!I have to argue with you though on the best James Bond, I think I have fallen hard for Daniel Craig. There is smth perversely attractive about him, lucky Rachel Weiscz.:)

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    1. Oh Slastena, I hear you. I almost put the shot of him in the bathing suit, well, just because... :-) Then it seemed too gratuitous... He is #2 for me and I like him so much as he is more rough, more like S.C. than Pierce or Roger Moore

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    2. I grew up with Roger Moore as James Bond, but have to say that my favorite is Sean Connery with Daniel Craig coming in a close-second...what a rugged, well-built, and gorgeous man he is!

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  8. BOND OR BLYTHE IF YOU COULD ONLY PICK ONE > FLEMING BOOK VERSION COUNTS TOO? Dear WMM, I've been waiting to exhale, stirred but never shaken. And the DH is giving me funny looks because Shirley Bassey is now wending her way through the perfect James Bond song here, in honour of your epic post. I think your "milestone" acquisition needs a "Diamonds Are" film night, champagne and a very stylish outfit, soon. Connery's return to the 007 has so many great tidbits (Natalie Wood's sis as Plenty, the surreal glitz of Vegas, the sausage maker Jimmy Dean in a star turn...)
    Best of high flying to the hubs - has he done an initial take-off yet? As for the best Bond, I am torn between the original and the current, who be-still-my-heart is a Liverpool FC fan. (And can't wait to hear what Mickey wrote you back! Can you tell patience not one of my virtues?)

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    1. Oh I will cut and paste the whole exchange on Thursday. It was funny!

      I agree re: james bond - so fun and so many great treats. And I am with you and Slastena - Daniel is a very close second...

      Love Shirley Bassey!

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  9. You are adorable! Wear them in good health:)

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    1. Thanks A! have told daughter she can heave them when I turn 93!

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  10. Enjoy your studs! They are lovely. One of the very few things my dad ever did with my brother and I was to take us to James Bond movies. I think I've seen them all. Sean never did it for me-I just don't really like him. Daniel however, hello handsome. He is a perfect Bond to me. I can't wait to see Skyfall.
    I adore fine jewelry, but have my fair share, so for my 50th next year (WTH) a trip to NYC with some friends is all I desire. Since becoming a parent 14 years ago the only girl's trip I've taken are a couple of random weekends to the coast to scrapbook.
    Raising two wonderful kids is indeed the best reward. I've got 2 in progress that I'm quite proud of.
    Best of luck to your hubby on his high flying adventures!

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    1. Oh Julie! When is your big day? I am January 14th. I will go first and warm it up for you!

      As for best reward - I agree - healthy, happy children is EVERYTHING!

      And champagne...

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  11. Oh WMM - you are such a delight! I laughed all the way through this post. Your earrings are beautiful, and how lucky to have a contact in the jewellery business! I'm looking forward to reading more about your exchange with the big boss at J. Crew - good for you for writing to him.

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    1. Oh Patricia - not only did I write to Mickey, I sent him a picture of me. It can only be a matter of time before he puts out a restraining order on me!

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  12. What absolute beauties they are, WMM! What a wonderful treat, and one that you will be able to cherish a lifetime, too. :)

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    1. Thanks FFM! Diamonds are indeed forever! If one falls out, I plan to use it to cut EVERYTHING!

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  13. What a great post - you had me smiling the whole time I was reading. Your diamond earrings are lovely, and most definitely not frivolous! Enjoy them and wear them in good health!

    My husband is a HUGE Bond fan - we can't wait to see Skyfall. It is getting excellent advance reviews. Sean Connery is also my favourite Bond but Daniel Craig is running a very close second.

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    1. HI Louise! I am going to Argo this weekend (YAY CANADA SAVING AMERICANS!) and then on to Skyfall!

      I still need to figure out how to put a Les Mis countdown clock on my blog!

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  14. I have worn my diamonds studs almost every day since I received them- for my 30th birthday- ages ago. I find it hard to switch them out for any other earring,as they look perfect with everything, and are comfortable, too. I am certain you will enjoy and appreciate yours immensely. Your poor daughter- making her wait that long seems cruel!

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    1. Ah well, she is going to have to find a significant other that buys her "the spares" in the interim!

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Kindness is a virtue...