Who's Got the Bling??

I knew it was going to be a very long flight when... We got on the plane to Istanbul and were comfortably (that is a misnomer, because who can be comfortable for 12 hours!?) ensconced in our business class seats when it happened.

Let me back up. We met the nicest couple at JFK from Pennsylvania who were also flying to Istanbul and going on a Black Sea cruise. They have kids exactly the same ages as o

ur two -- and one adopted a little Chinese boy who is deaf -- and their daughter is also deaf. And the husband who was with us on the flight happened to be a realtor and builder so we had some things in common!

And it passed the time so nicely.

But then "it" happened. She walked in with fluffy flowing blonde locks and I swear she had had way more than just botox. Probably a full out face lift and maybe more than one!! And she was wearing heels. How ridiculous to walk in heels when in an airport. Her husband, well, suffice it to say, I think she was a trophy wife and while he looked VERY old and wrinkly, it was disgusting how they were kissing and laughing. This 12 hour flight was no laughing matter to us! And she had on a Hermes scarf thrown casually over her shoulder. She was talking about going on a cruise also and was complaining about some cruise lines where "people go to bed at 9 o'clock and don't have fun." Which is me. I'm the one who goes to bed at 9. So this was directed at me, I know. And she was delicately thin, which is a crime unto itself! And, worst of all, she had a huge diamond on her right hand because she ALSO had a bunch of diamonds on her ring finger -- and a diamond watch. Her makeup was perfect, even to her dark eyelashes. But the diamond thing meant we were going to get into a diamond war! She also had a Kindle, as do we. And I chuckled to myself because she was so vain she had the type turned up really big. I imagine she refused to wear glasses.l Hummph.

Well, I knew I would lose in the diamond war. I always bring my BIG 9-1/2 carat diamond ring. Always. It is the "my diamond is bigger than your diamond" ring. Heck. When we were on the plane to Bermuda a month ago, I was wearing my biggie and a passenger asked me how I got the Hope diamond out of the Smithsonian. I mean, it looks that big! I KNOW my diamond would win the war, if I only had it with me! But this time I was trying to be good and sensible. After all, we were going to Turkey and who knows if it might get stolen. My mother, the Swede, tried to teach me to be modest and not show off! And everyone tells you to leave valuable jewelry at home. So I sat despondently, with my regular diamond ring, my regular watch, my conservative earrings, my clothes that I had thought were pretty fashionable until SHE appeared, and my travel shoes that are not Manolo Blahnick heels like her. My confidence is shaken and I will be horrified if she is on OUR cruise ship! But our cruise ship has lots of early to bed types. So I may be safe. Sounds to me she likes Carnival or Princess party type, don't you think??

And someday, somewhere I am sure she will meet a bigger diamond,-- in an airport, in a shopping center, out to dinner -- who knows.Maybe it'll be someone blonder, or thinner, or with more facelifts! And she will then also feel crushed. But the day will come and I will laugh -- as I watch the clock for 9 p.m!