Just for Looks
I am vain.
I’ve learned in life that if you just admit your faults and shamelessly blurt them out to other people, it makes them seem a little less vile.
Vain.
Sing too loudly for the pitch and tone I have.
Wear sports bras too many times without washing.
Think I am funnier than anyone else does.
Vain.
See, that’s not so bad. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Another fault.
After forgoing buying myself basic things as a stay-at-home mom for the last five and a half years (add “making myself a martyr.” Geez, this list is getting long), I had two things I wanted to buy myself when I once again had an income. The first was a Vita-Mix, and we saw how that ended.
The second was LASIK surgery.
I’ve been wearing glasses or contacts since the time I was eight, and my vision is bad. As I’ve mentioned before, we’re talking “–9 in one eye” bad. Having corrective surgery would undeniably change my life, but it comes with a heavy price, and not just in dollar and cents. In order to even determine if I’m a candidate for the surgery, I have to go get corneal measurements taken, and in order to get accurate readings, I have to be out of my contacts for a week prior to my appointment.
You’ve seen these before. Don’t tell me they are cute. And as a side note, it’s really hard to take a picture in focus when you aren’t wearing your glasses and you have a –9 correction in one eye.
There is at least an inch of glass there. I can kill ants without even trying if I wear these outside on a summer day.
I’ve made and cancelled my appointment twice already because things came up that I refused to wear my glasses to. But Pea Daddy keeps pushing me to make the appointment. Just like he encourages me to vote and call my grandma more often. He’s a good man.
So today is Day #1 in glasses, and it’s just awful. The only other time I’ve warn them for more than a day or two was for a week in law school when my contacts felt like I was putting shards of glass in my eye. I almost liked that better.
I equate it to trying to go about your life wearing very ill-fitting, very heavy swim goggles. I have this uncomfortable weight on my face. Even worse, I have no peripheral vision, so I’m nervous that Pea Kitty is sneaking up on me with a tiny, kitty switchblade at this very moment. Not to mention that I discovered a pool of molasses on my kitchen floor that I had no knowledge of, and also set the microwave to heat my tea for 23 minutes instead of 2 minutes and 30 seconds. I like it hot.
On the plus side, the girls are loving life because I can’t see the messes they are making, or at least not more than one at a time.
I’ve also been getting help with household tasks that require hand-eye coordination, like hitting the “Dislike” button whenever a song by Wings or Wham! comes on the Pandora Christmas station.
She’s racing to “Like” Mariah Carey. I’m turning a blind eye.
But the girls were also happy to lend a hand when it came to our annual making of gingerbread men for the tree.
You can eat them, but I’ve had better ginger cookies.
These are just for looks.
Gingerbread Men
Makes 16-20 cutout men
- 2 T. canola oil
- 3 T. unsweetened applesauce
- 3/4 c. organic sugar
- 1/4 c. molasses
- 1/4 c. non-dairy or organic milk
- 2 1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 t. baking powder
- 1/2 t. baking soda
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1 t. pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 t. cinnamon
- 1 1/2 t. ground ginger
For decorating:
- icing
- red hots
- raisins, etc.
In the bowl of a stand mixer or a using a hand mixer, cream together oil, applesauce, sugar, molasses and milk.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and ginger.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet and mix until a dough is formed.
Transfer dough to plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
When dough is chilled, preheat oven to 350. On a floured board, roll out dough,
and cut out gingerbread men shapes.
Transfer to a cookie sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray and decorate with any candies or trimmings that won’t melt.
If you are hanging these on your tree, use a toothpick to make a small hole in the top of each cookie.
Remember how I said these were just for looks?
I’m glad I’m not the type of person that is all hung up on appearances.
Bake for 8-10 minutes. You want to err on the side of over-baking if you are planning on hanging these men. Allow cookies to cool completely before transferring to a cooling rack and frosting.
I took the easy route and since we wouldn’t likely be eating them anyway, I used a vegan, store-bought tube. (I know, the shame, right?)
In the name of self-acceptance, I had a certain accessory in mind for the Mama Ginger.
“You are so beautiful, to me…”
When the icing has set, loop ribbon through your men,
and hang them on their new home.
I hung Mama Ginger next to a good man.
The same man that saw a bespectacled me in front of the law school library nine years ago and told me he liked my glasses.
I love that man. I really should tell him.
If only I could find him.
Haha – love this. I want to make these gingerbread men but I know I’d eat them while decorating. Maybe not the whole man but at least a foot or 2. very exciting about the lasik! My husband and sister are both success stories. Hope your corneal measurements are up to par.
Me too! At least so this week is worth it. Fingers crossed!!!
LASIK is a dream of mine too… good luck on your glasses week… you can do it! The end result will be so dang worth it!
Thanks! Expect to see zero pictures of me during glasses week
Awww! You and Pea Daddy are too cute. Sorry about having to wear glasses though! I’m sure some good will come of it! Like that adorable Mama Ginger!
It was pretty funny when Lulu called the Mama Ginger “Daddy.”
I love this post! My eyes are terrible too and I REFUSE to wear my glasses in public. I got my first pair of mega-thick glasses in 5th grade (they had an E.T. logo on the side, cool huh?). I was teased by kids who were my friends! I’ve had contacts for many years, but I dream of the day I can see clearly without putting my fingers in my eyes. I hope you are a candidate for the surgery!
E.T.? That is awesome. I had Porky Pig sunglasses that I used to take the lenses out of to pretend they were real glasses. Then the next year, I needed real glasses. Th-th-th-th-that’s all folks!
They are cute. Get over it!
You could make anything look cute.
Good luck with Lasik Mama!
Thanks, beauty.
I was going to say the same thing, so I am going to comment here and say ditto to what Erin said!!
They are cute, and they look great on you I am sure! And I am sure it will be totally worthy to wear them and go through surgery – my family members who had it are as happy as could be, they swear by lasik (and both my uncle and brother in law had it worse than you do, believe me)
I have my fingers crossed that your corneal measurements are good so that you can have your surgery and all will be wonderful for you and your vision Mama Pea!
Ana
Thanks, Ana. But they aren’t cute.
Cute…your writing, the gingerbread, the girls.
First of all; this is the first time I’m contacting you. You’re hilarious and you remind me of my college roomie. I miss her…
Secondly; I was wondering why your gingerbread men had bullet holes in their heads on your header. Christmas decor is a pretty good reason.
Third; I had to wear my glasses for a week in college because of an eye infection. Sans contacts I was a horrible cocktail waitress (my job during college) and blamed it on my “periff”. No joke, I said “periff” to my boss. He laughed and told me to go deliver more gummy bear martinis.
First, I am your college roommate. Why did you eat my pop tarts?
Second, the gingermen were bad and had to be taught a lesson.
Third, I have to go google “periff” now because I have no idea what that is.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Periff
Thanks! I’ve never heard of that
Hang in there! It’s totally worth it! I can’t decide what was worse: the the week of glasses before the surgery or the goggles and no make up for a week after. Yes, goggles at night and no mascara for an entire week. I hid in my basement, but still worth it.
Wait, what?! No mascara for a week?! I’m totally down with night goggles, though. Super hero.
A few things:
1) I hate wearing my glasses. I have contacts that can be worn for a month straight. They often get worn for longer because I feel like when I take them out, they should be out for a solid amount of time, and I just can’t stand wearing my glasses for that long. I had to wear them a few years ago when I had an eye infection, and I was just miserable. And worried about my driving.
2) When I saw the picture on the top of the page, I was sad to see what I thought were bullet holes in the gingerbread people’s heads. What do I know? I’m Jewish. We don’t hang our food; we eat it.
3) I’m so sad that you “disliked” Wings songs. So very, very sad. I wish you simply have a wonderful Christmastime! (Though technically just a Paul McCartney song, later added to a Wings album as a bonus track. Just sayin’.)
1. I’m so scared to drive to my appointment in the city a week from now. I can’t drive like this!
2. Trust me, they wanted to eat the holy gingermen today. It was a fight.
3. Sorry, I liked the song the first 495 times I heard it. But now, dislike.
1. Driving was really scary when it was super sunny. I don’t know about you, but this girl never leaves the house without sunglasses. I even take them when it’s raining, just in case.
2. You should’ve tried one for quality control. You never know when someone else may grab one off the tree.
3. I see. Doesn’t that work for all the other Christmas songs that have bee playing on repeat on the radio since the day after Halloween? (Does that only happen here? Super annoying.)
1. I’m beginning to think I should have gotten prescription sunglasses. Then I’d just look really cool all week. Or on drugs.
2. Does piping icing into my mouth count as quality control?
3. Not every other Christmas song has a chorus of “she boop, she boop, she boop” in it. That does me in.
1. I wished I had prescription sunglasses for those few weeks. There was a lot of one-handed driving while shielding the eyes.
2. Yes.
3. She boop? That’s Cyndi Lauper! Oh wait, no, she bops…
I’m sure you look GREAT in glasses. Seriously, you look like someone who could pull off a great pair of glasses.
You could also make angel cookies and do these! Oh what fun…
“A great pair of glasses” is not possible with my prescription. But thank you!
can i just tell you i had the worst day today? i did. the worst. college is killer (me=drama queen). but reading this and seeing the adorable Christmasy pictures before bed just lifts my spirits and erases the day. i love it and i thank you
Oh you are so welcome. Thank YOU!
Ahhh, this wrecked my glasses-wearing self-image by approximately 5000%! If only contacts didn’t freak me out….
Oh sorry. But you totally pull them off.
You out did yourself on this one Mama Pea. Too funny!
Pea Kitty is sneaking up to you sideways. Of that, I’m sure.
I’m also sure that LASIK was the best decision I’ve ever made (oh, and marrying that guy which was slightly less scary). Seriously, the procedure was nothing, and the freedom from 24 years of glasses and contacts was HUGE. I hope it all works out for you.
Ooh, I didn’t know you had it, Tiff. I may be hitting you up for details later.
Ugh, I am with you on the “lack of peripheral vision” thing when wearing glasses. Freaks me right the crap out while driving. Not because a cat might sneak up on me and attack though. And I wear plastic frames to hide the gigantor lenses I’m rocking. Good on you for seeing if you are a candidate for lasik though – that whole idea freaks me out too.
You know what would have made fun gingerbread ornaments for the tree? Those Star Wars cookie cutters
Noooooooooooooo!
HAhahaa…loved the ending of this post
Such cute cookies. My favorite are the mangled ones with all of the red hots, hehe. I’ve actually never made gingerbread men or gingerbread cookies in general. Gasp! The tree looks lovely!!
And Gigi wanted to eat those mangled guys, but she hates red hots. It wasn’t pretty.
its a very sad day when your reject tree-decoration cookies are still more delicious than anything ive baked. like. ever.
You want these after Christmas? They’ll soften right up in an Elise-sized cup of coffee.
I’ve always wondered if gingerbread people (or men, but thats kind of sexist, no?) are vegan friendly (I’ve thought the same thing about animal crackers mind you).
You wanna hear something sad? when I was 13, I spent my baby sitting money on pricey pair of channel glasses cause I thought they looked good on me and made me look “smart”. I have 20/20 vision and had a headache all of eighth grade because of them. never again!
I’d like your glasses now
This makes me want to make some gingerbread men and woman ASAP. And get a tree up. No Mama Pea in glasses pic? Guess you don’t want it all over the internet. As for the peripheral vision, your eyes will catch up soon. It was hard for me to get used to progressives, but after a few days I was fine.
Little secret, there is a pic of me in my glasses somewhere on this blog. Actually, I think there are two.
OH, I do hope you’re a candidate! I had LASIK surgery 11 years ago, after 27 years of thick glasses (age 6, yuck!) and not being able to wear contacts for more than 30 minutes at a time. I will never forget the feeling when the Dr sat me up on the table right after the procedure and asked me to read the clock across the room-AND I COULD!!!
and I’m relieved to know that I wasn’t the only one who wondered about the bullet-ridden gingerbread men…
Aww, this comment makes me really, really excited.
I thought for sure i would see Star Wars shaped cookies up next on your blog! These are just as good, i love Gigi and Lulu’s cookies. They have character, although they look to be lacking some gingerbread chromosomes. I could not have done that well decorating a cookie at either of their ages, it would have been in my stomach. And you guys are so cool, because my dad would have never let us put real cookies on our tree. Hell, we weren’t even allowed to have a real tree because of the “mess” it left. We used to refer to him as the Jewish version of the Grinch…
Btw, i am beginning to notice that reading your blog is allowing me to live a great childhood vicariously. Not to mention i might be able to avoid therapy if i keep hitting you with stories about my pops
Before you think I am “so cool,” you should know I was having spasms as the Christmas tree was being pulled through the front door and about two pounds of needles were on my hardwood floors. Pea D kept calling me to come see the tree and I was so busy sweeping up those needles like they were going to burst into flames.
ha, what a timely post! i am wearing my glasses in public for the first time in years this week (raging conjunctivitis – yum!). i have a -12 prescription so this is no less than traumatic. and YES i hear you on the peripheral vision aspect! i sort of can’t believe i’m safe to drive.
while my lenses are thinner than yours (very small style + ungodly $$$ magical compression style), they are still disgusting and make my eyes look like tiny things. although based on what they look like right now that may not be a bad thing . . .
-12?! And you are driving?! That can’t be safe.
I am negative 7 in both eyes! So I hear you. My boyfriend hates my glasses- they are so thick and geeky! Best of luck navigating the world for the next few days!
Who you calling thick and geeky, Liz?
i’ve never made gingerbread cookies before! these look like fun and they came out so cute:-)
I want Lasik more than anything!!!! I feel like contacts are going out of style and my glasses are just plain annoying.
Funny how I use to beg my mom for contacts and now I’m begging my husband for surgery. Eye surgery that is!
Contacts are going out of style? That’s hilarious.
i SO feel your pain!!! me = glasses since grade 4; -5 correction in one of my eyes; don’t wear my glasses unless i’m in dire straits…hang in there for the six more days necessary! imagine the joy of getting up in the morning and the world is in focus!
love tree decs like gingerbread cutouts, popcorn on a string…great fun! your cookies are awesome!
We might have to do a cranberry strand next, though I’m not sure I should be trusted with a needle right now.
I had eye surgery 6 years ago. Love it! I also had -9 vision. Its the little things in life, like waking up and being able to see the clock. Good Luck!
Awesome! I’ve never met anyone as blind as me. I’m so glad it worked for you.
oh boy, I wear glasses too but at least I feel smarter and my hubs thinks there sexy. Maybe I should pull out y retainer next! haha.
Ahahaha the gingerbread (wo)man is easily the best-looking one! So cute. I’ve never had glasses or contacts so, naturally, I’ve always thought glasses look great! Such a fashion accessory that I have to miss out on. Love them, I bet they look chic! No photos of you wearing them, I notice… Embrace it!
Hmm….we’ll see… Well, at least you will.
Oh Mama Pea, I know your glasses pain! I had a cornea problem this summer, and I have to wear mine for about 2 weeks. All that weight on my face=headaches! It took about a week for the headaches to go away. The worst part was exercising in my glasses. Ugh. Hopefully I will be getting Lasik in 2011. I’m NOT looking forward to all of the glasses wear prior to surgery.
I consider it added resistance for strength training
I know you said not to say it, but I really do think they’re cute!!! I love glasses though.
Very cute ornaments!!! Although I can just imagine how many of those our dogs would snag from the tree…we’d have to hang them high.
Damn you, woman, I said not to say it! (shaking fist in the air)
Just kidding.
I am going to try these cookies as soon as possible! They look wonderful as do your glasses, MP
Good luck!
Aw, cute! My mom had LASIK years ago when it was new and it was a long recovery process but my roommate is getting the procedure next week and they told her she can go back to work the next day.
I’m okay with the recovery. At least then I’ll have sympathy. And by sympathy, I mean drugs.
Those are so cute! Can’t wait to do fun stuff like this with my daughter when she gets a little older.
It’s the best to start traditions with your kids!
hahah love this! beautiful tree!
I recently had to get glasses. And ironically…I think their the same (or near to it) as yours. I’m not a fan of them either, there were far “trendier” ones…but these were cheaper than the “nice” ones and I didn’t want to spend hours in the store trying on possibilities. I said “whatever” and just grabbed them up.
They do feel heavy…and quite annoying.
Jealous of your christmas festivities! I am without family…and without furniture. No real christmas for me…not sure how to deal with the incoming sadness from seeing the beautiful festivities on other’s blogs! Either way, lovely gingerbread.
Oh, I’m sorry about the lack of Christmas in your life. I felt that way when I was in college. I strung Christmas lights around my door room and made hundreds of paper snowflakes and taped them on the walls. I’m sure my roommate thought I was nuts, but it put me in the spirit. You can do it too!
Confession: I’m supposed to wear glasses every day, but NEVER do. I’ve had the same pair for five years now, and only break them out when I have a headache, or when I’m about to take a test and think that being able to read the questions better will make up for not studying. You’re not alone
Lasik really will change your life though- my 90 year old grandmother got it when it first came out and she still sees perfectly!
Yes, I don’t remember seeing glasses on you in San Fran. Tsk, tsk.
I’m having LASIK tomorrow!!! Then afterwords you have to go w/o makeup for a week. Just sayin’. GOOD LUCK!!!
Good luck to you!!! I’d love to hear how it goes!
I’ve been wearing glasses for quite a while now too. I just need them for distance, so I seem to avoid wearing them whenever possible (other than driving.) This makes me run into problems when people wave to me, and I ignore them because I can’t see them. Or worse, when I wave at family members with a big cheery smile only to realize that they’re not family at all. It’s kind of embarrassing.
No big deal, people just think you are clumsy and friendly. And I am both anyway!
I’m a fan of glasses but only because I have to wear them for computer work and I picked a cute pair. I figured it was better than letting my eyes get worse.
Pea Daddy is a smart man…he picked you
I debate the lasik surgery too. My eyes aren’t as bad as yours, they are just bad enough. I have worn glasses since 5th grade, but I am terrified of things coming towards my eyes! I would have to be HEAVILY drugged to have it done!
“Heavily drugged” is one of the selling points for me, actually.
Good lord, I’m “special,” as I read it as “cornmeal measurements.” Oy vey! Anyway, good luck with that. I have glasses that I was told I only have to wear when I read, but considering that’s all day every day, they’re pretty much attached to my head.
A few years ago my mom and I made gingerbread men/women that ended up being unsuitable for young cousins to see and consume without questions (some wine was consumed during the baking process.) I think I like your version better, although my creepy uncle might disagree
Gah! Obscene gingerbread! I don’t have the frosting skills to make that happen.
Having Lasik was the best thing I ever did! Also like you, I hated wearing my coke bottle glasses! Because I wore my contacts for sooo many years before the surgery, I had to wear my glasses exclusively for 4 weeks before the surgery! It was so very worth it in the end though! I hope you find out you are a candidate for Lasik! Love your blog!
I guess I should be grateful I only have to wear my glasses a week. Now I’m concerned that they’ll make me wait and wear my glasses longer. I literally have been in contacts almost exclusively for 25 years!
Oh my gosh, the first thing I thought of when I saw the picture for this post was, “Oh wow, the holidays are really starting to get to her if she’s executing gingerbread men!” Hahaha!
My mom got lasik done about 10 years ago and absolutely loves it! Anytime you start thinking about going back to your contacts before your appointment, just think how awesome it will feel to roll over in bed in the morning and be able to read the numbers on the alarm clock! My mom said she will never forget the feeling she had when she saw the clock the morning after the surgery!
I know. If it pans out, it will be amazing to read in bed without holding my book, okay, my iPhone, 1 centimeter from my face.
Your gingerbread girl with glasses made my day. I feel your glasses pangs!
Did that seriously happen with Pea Daddy? Because I LOVE it!!! And, I’m sure you’re adorable in your glasses. I thought I was vain, but I actually put a picture of me in my horrible glasses on the blog. You’re more vain, I guess.
I like how MamaPea is wearing a red hot pearl strand. That makes it all better.
That really did happen with Pea Daddy. He’s the sweetest.
I probably am more vain, but I’ll probably have a picture of me in my glasses up by the end of the week. I’m so vain I can’t go that long without putting my face up.
I just had LASIK surgery done in September. I had to go TWO weeks without contacts, but it was definitely worth it. The surgery is a breeze, done in 5 minutes, then you sleep all day and the next day you’re feeling great & YOU CAN SEE!
Best of luck.
That’s encouraging! Thanks, Ali.
Love the use of gingerbread people! I’ve never actually made them though – lots of gingerbread, just no gingerbread people.
I’m not sure why we started this tradition when Gigi was a baby, but now I look forward to it every year.
I debate Lasik almost every day. On one hand, I kind of like my glasses. I don’t wear them everyday, but I do think that, in a way, they make me look kind of cute. On the other hand, it would be so nice to be able to brave the Oregonian rain without having to “put my eyes in” (as you know, glasses in the rain are a bad idea). It would be nice to be able to go to a 3-D movie without my eyes getting tired from contacts.
It is definitely a big debate :/
Maybe I’ll push you one way or the other. I never wear my glasses in the rain. It messes up my hair. And crazy hair and big glasses is even worse than just big glasses.
I just have to tell you that after reading for a while that I come to your blog for several reasons, great recipes obviously, cute pictures of your precious girls, pea kitty, but by far the best part is your talent in writing prose. Just had to let you know that your writing is style is one of a kind and top notch!!
Thank you so much, Sarah. That really means a lot to me. It’s the part of blogging that I enjoy the most.
I love the idea of making traditional gingermen cookies for the tree! How sweet!! I’ll have to remember this one!
if only i could find him; bahahahaha!
i’m like you and hate my glasses to the max. I’m only a negative 5 though…i still feel your peripheral vision pain though. cat always gets me with that one. and the walls; i swear they jump out at me.
I think I’ll have this down by the end of the week. Or else I’ll be dead.
Yea for you! I took the plunge 3 years ago and got Lasik…In the top 5 best decisions I’ve ever made. My only complaint is that I waited so long!!
I know I’ll be the same way. But it’s hard to look forward to date night this weekend in these bad johnnys.
You could wear anything and look pretty! My husband and I had LASIK done several years ago and love it! Best decision ever! For me, the bloodshot eyes and no make-up afterward was worse but you look beautiful without make-up so no biggie!
Oh, you are so sweet! I’m just hearing about this no make-up thing, and I don’t really like what I’m hearing…
My dad got lasik and it seriously changed his life, totally worth wearing glasses for a week. He got it probably when I was around Gigi’s age, and now I’m 20 and his vision is still near perfect, he just wears glasses when he’s reading or driving at night, and its a very light prescription.
I can only imagine what would happen if we put real cookies on our christmas tree. My 17 year old brother would probably eat them all within a week!
I caught Gigi licking the tree yesterday. It’s not a foolproof system, by any means.
Eden’s comment reminds me of a funny story – My boyfriend’s parents sent him to get glasses once and told him to pay for them with their flex-spending plan. He picked out “a pair he thought looked good,” which turned out to be Armani. Needless to say they didn’t have any money left on their plan for the rest of the year… HA!
It is ridiculous how expensive those frames can be! My eye doctor’s assistant kept trying to talk me into a pair with Swaroraski crystals. I said, “Listen, Sister, these are going to be sitting on my night stand for 23.5 hours a day. I don’t need any crystals.”
I read your blog everyday!
I am getting LASIK eye surgery on the 15th. I also made and canceled several appointments before going for the consultation. Turns out I am the perfect canidate (thank goodness, if I wore my glasses for TWO weeks for nothing I would have been a tad upset). Starting tomorrow I have to wear my glasses for another two weeks-can you tell I won’t give in for a second and take my contacts out early, no thanks.
I have heard from numerous people it is worth it. I can’t wait to be able to see!
Let me know if you have any questions, I’d be more than happy to answer (especially after the surgery)! Good Luck!
That’s awesome, Nicole! I hope you come back on the December 16th and tell me how beautiful the leaves are on the trees!
And yes, I’m going to be totally bummed out if I’m not a candidate and have been Mr. Magooing it around for nothing.
You and me both! I am B-L-I-N-D. And I feel completely out of sorts when I wear my glasses outside… they’re usually just a first-thing-in-the-morning and late-at-night deal. Good luck with the surgery… I’m considering it myself and would love to hear about your experience with it.
I’ll keep you posted, Katie!
Those little men reminded me of a Christmas many years ago where I made cookies with my two children. We decorated the gingerbread men and hung them on the tree. The next morning we found that many were missing the bottom half of the cookie. Apparently the dog chomped them in half during the night – at least all the ones she could reach! “No, no, not the gumdrop buttons!” Ha ha
I love that scene in Shrek
i have wanted lasik for sooooo long! i’m practically blind without my contacts, and since i look like an idiot in glasses i never wear them. did you feel anything IN the surgery? it kind of freaks me out to think of what i’ve seen on TV…
I haven’t seen anything on TV. And now I’ll probably google it. Cripes.
My mama is a -8 in one eye and -7.25 in the other and has toyed with getting lasik for years… the week without contacts is part of what’s skewed her against it!!! Good luck MamaGinger
If I do it, you should totally encourage your mom!
WE HAVE THE SAME TREE TOPPER!!! I just found it the other day and HAD to have it. It’s bright and sparkly and I love it! We stuck some of the tree lights in it so it lights up now too!
I know 2 people who have had Lasik and they both are so happy they got it done. I think sports bras are like pants, you can wear them several times before washing…shh don’t tell..
You wear pants multiple times? That’s just gross.
Ugh, glasses are the pits!! I have horrible eye sight and actually have to have a prism in my left lense to help my eye focus bc my astigmatism is so bad…I’m only 26 but when I go to the eye doctor I feel like I’m 100 with all the weirdness with my eyes. My eye pressure is too high (like, borderline glaucoma…another weird thing) for LASIK to be an option (i.e. my good eye could bleed and be damaged and then I’d be totally screwed sight wise) so I’m always on my husband’s case to remember to take out his contacts and not leave them in 15 hours a day since HE’S good candidate, lol
I hope that you are a good candidate as well! I’ve found some cute frames the last few years, but glasses are still the pits!
Oh, now I’m totally worried that I won’t be a candidate.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
I’m like you. OK, not THAT bad, but I’m a -7.5 in each eye which is still pathetically close to blind. My husband keeps urging me to get Lasik (I think it’s because glasses are crazy expensive when you’re that blind) but I’m petrified of the process. Namely, the skin flap. And suctioning sounds.
And also: I want to bet that yours are the thin lenses. I get the special thinner ones and mine are still incredibly thick. Sigh.
Did you say “skin flap?”
Justin just had his done a week ago. Thus the reason I was at whole foods for an hour. I would love to tell you all about it. His vision is awesome, and so far the results have been good. I won’t go into detail about it, but if you want to know anything first hand I can give you the scoop:) So excited for you to maybe have this done:)
Really?! I had no idea. I think I see you on Tuesday (the day after I go for my consult) so you’ll have to tell me all about it. And I’ll be back in my contacts then too
Hang in there. I had Lasik done in 1999 and I had glasses from the age of 7. I was -10 in one eye, -8 with astigmatism in the other. Contacts drove me crazy, so I couldn’t wear them often. The surgery was life changing! I am now 33 and still 20/20. It’s only one week, & your glasses are so cute. You can do it… Good luck with the eye exam.
Thanks Bree! You are making me EXCITED!
I feel your pain. I’ve had glasses since I was around 10 years old and I hate wearing them. If I couldn’t wear my contacts I’d go nuts. The idea of LASIK kinda scares me, though a friend had it and is loving the results. Maybe someday.
Good Luck with your LASIK surgery!!! I can’t wait to read more about it!! Trust me–> I know your fear of wearing glasses!! I haven’t worn mine in years, YEARS! I almost always sleep my contacts too–> Awful I know! But with a -8 prescription, I REFUSE to wake up in the middle of the night and NOT be able to see where I’m going! I’m slowly getting better at taking them out though (One eye/night at a time)
The gingerbread ornaments are TOO cute!! We are decorating an ALL Disney tree this year!!
Gah! Don’t sleep in your contacts! That is SOOO bad for your eyes! Okay, I’ll stop preaching now. But seriously, quit it.
Oh, and don’t watch the surgery before hand:|
lasik is going to be sooooo worth this week of suffering. i was -9 in one eye and -10 in the other, and it’s been 8 years…NO problems and NO more glasses or contacts! good luck!!
Yes!!! This is what I like to hear!
Just thought I’d share my experience…I am at -9.5 and -10 in my eyes. I did the whole 2 week glasses thing and it wasn’t fun! Then, they measured my eyes and told me that I wasn’t a candidate because I’d still need glasses even after the surgery and I’d have huge rings around lights at night. They showed me a picture of the rings I would see after the surgery and I said, “That’s already how I see at night!” The Dr said the rings would get even worse – maybe double. So, driving would be dangerous. My eye “pressure” was ok but my cornea wasn’t quite thick enough so they recommended that I not get the surgery. I was really disappointed – especially after wearing my glasses for 2 weeks! Hopefully, your experience will be better…
Oh, bummer! I guess I should be prepared for the worst, though. Thanks for sharing your story, Jen.
Wow. That ending really made me smile. And I really needed it today. Thanks!
I hope you are a candidate for the LASIK. Fingers crossed!
I hope your day gets better, Paula!
Good luck with wearing your glasses– I can relate, as I’ve been a wearer of them for 15 years now. Let’s just say I take them off ASAP when they’re not in need
Wham! is on the radio right now. Too bad there’s not a dislike button in my car!
“Last Christmas…I gave you my heart…and the very next day…you gave it away…”
And I appreciate that you spelled it “Wham!”
You are hilarious! My eyes were -10 and -11 before LASIK. That week of wearing glasses to work was awful, BUT… so worth it after the fact! Seriously, life-altering. I have to admit though… those few days without mascara were worse than wearing glasses. I have stubby blonde eyelashes — not attractive. Good luck! You’re going to love your new eyes!
Thanks, Kristie! I’m so happy for you. And as for the no mascara, I’ll just slap on a bright lipstick all week and be good to go!
Eek Mama Pea i am in the miserable “glasses only” stage and I totally feel you. It makes me feel incredibly vain, but i planned like my entire social calendar around when it would be acceptable to be in glasses. I’m going on three weeks, and it is not fun. I don’t know what’s worse–people at work continually asking me if I’m ill, or hungover, the fact that I cannot wear sunglasses (my mother suggested clip on sunglassess.. i kid you not). It has not been fun, but I keep thinking about the (clear) light at the end of the tunnel! and i agree–how miserable is it going to be for no eye makeup for a week?! it will teach me what’s really important, i guess. it’s the little things, like for 2 weeks not sure if I’m putting shampoo in my hair or body wash because I can’t see anything!!!
Ha ha ha! Clip-on sunglasses. Awesome. Pea D and I are supposed to have a date night on Saturday, but nothing makes me feel more unattractive and less like going out than these bad boys. I hope we both are good candidates!
GOOD LUCK THOUGH!! I was like you–i better stinkin be a candidate if i’m going thru this “misery”. tounge and cheek, of course. I may or may not have only cried once or twice about how ugly i felt with glasses. at least you have a loving husband to tell you how pretty you are
Aww…you are pretty too. And pretty is on the inside
I hope the LASIK works out for you, but if you aren’t a good candidate, look into other options. I was -9 in both eyes and was told that i wasn’t a good candidate for LASIK so I ended up having lens implantation done and it was the best decision i have ever made!!! It sounds kind of scary but it literally took 10 minutes and I LOVE that i don’t have to wear contacts or glasses anymore.
Wow, thanks Kat! I will definitely ask about that at my appointment next week!
you were on the forefront! so happy it turned out great
From one vain vegan mother to another…I sympathize deeply with you wearing your glasses. I, too, wear contacts and want to get Lasik surgery. My hubby had it done years ago and was able to throw his hideous glasses away. I’m the proud owner of a pair of glasses that are SO OLD and out of style, they just might come back into style if I hold onto them a little longer. I’m extremely embarrassed when I have to wear them outside in public. I’m sure people point and laugh at me. I hope everything goes well with your week of wearing glasses.
Thanks Emily! If your husband had it done, I only think it’s fair you get it done too!
About a year ago I suddenly stopped being able to wear contacts. I woke up one day with a horrible infection and even once it cleared up, any time I put a contact in my eye my eyes would reject them. I went for a LASIK evaluation and was a candidate, but due to limited finances couldn’t manage to get the surgery. So I’ve been in glasses for about a year and I hate every second of wearing them! This is all to say that I can relate and I hope that you are able to see clearly soon enough!
Aww, I’m so sorry. Why isn’t LASIK covered by insurance!? Think of the thousands you spend each year at the optometrist!
A gingerbread men post! I remember last year’s (I think?) So cute:) Hope the lasik prep goes well!!
Haha I laughed out loud at the “wearing sports bras too many times without washing them” comment. Guilty! New to reading your blog—love it!
Thanks, Ali, welcome!!!
Everytime you talk about Pea Daddy and what a great guy he is my heart bubbles with happiness for you. True story.
Thanks, Emily. He’s a peach.
I want Lasik too but I don’t qualify yet….they said my prescription has to be stable and mine just keeps getting worst and worst every year. Some day….I will be free from contacts and glasses.
Good luck with the one week preparation for the eye exam (didn’t know that was the process btw), hope all goes well.
Thanks Lea. Luckily my vision stopped getting worse!
Gigi’s sweater is SO cute! It makes her look older
I know
Hey Mama Pea!
I’ve worn glasses for over 2/3 my life, since I was 10. I don’t have a ‘script as bad as yours (I’m about -6), but do have some advice and questions about your glasses wearing:
1. What’s the index of your lenses? The higher the index, the thinner they can go.
2. Next pair of frames, get plastic ones with a full frame (these hide the lenses better). Even better: larger, plastic frames are de rigeur at the moment!
I made the switch from contacts to specs in university and haven’t looked back (except for contacts during sports and special occasions… *cough* wedding *cough*).
making the switch takes some times and will be aggravating, but in the end, it’s much, much healthier for your eyes to not be in contacts.
I’m not sure about the index of the lenses. My last frames were full plastic frames, and the lens still stuck out. This is unfortunately as thin as they can get (or so I’m told).
I know you are right about contacts not being great for my eyes, so I hope the LASIK is an option.
Your list seriously cracked me up. Love it. I know I could add to it for me
Your girls are too cute!
Oh, that’s only the beginning of that list too.
This is so gosh darn adorable! I feel like cursing just for the heck of it.
That’s a great idea to make cookies and decorate the tree. I’ve never done so, as a child or adult, and now I want to. Only problem is my tree gets crowded enough with my regular decorations, so I’d need a separate cookie tree. Hmmm not a bad idea….
I don’t need glasses but I have a ‘fake’ pair with clear lenses that I wear sometimes for fun – but they are not that fun! When I wear them I feel like I’m living in a box because of this rim around my vision, and it’s not even that bad because I can still see what is outside the rim! So I can totally understand why you dislike wearing your glasses, though I’m sure they look great on you. Contacts really freak me out, as does laser surgery, so I guess it’s a really fantastic thing that I have good vision and don’t need these things.
I’m so jealous of your cute fake glasses.
And a cookie tree sounds like a great idea!
Such a sweet post. And what a great ornament idea!
I feel your pain — I’m -8.5 in one eye. My glasses look just like yours. And my husband wonders why I don’t wear them much- they’re heavy!!
Pea Daddy tells me all the time to wear them! But he doesn’t get it! Thanks for commiserating with me
Hi MamaPea,
I’m a first time commenter but have been reading your blog for a while (I love it). I had LASIK done yesterday morning and today when I woke up, I could see! It’s amazing and I still haven’t gotten used to it. I was scared to get the surgery for a long time but finally pushed myself to it, and I am so glad I did! I hope that you are a perfect candidate!
No way!!! Oh Jane, that is so exciting! I can’t believe you are already reading blogs and doing your daily activities. Oh, I hope I’m the perfect candidate too!!!
The glasses are totally worth it if the surgery works out. Everyone I know that’s had it raves about the procedure and results. I wish I could sympathize, but I’m one of those freaks that has near perfect vision. Now hearing … that’s another story.
I love the gingerbread idea and will forward to my sister to try with her daughters, thanks!
Pea Daddy also has near perfect vision. His prescription is like -.001. Grr…
Beautiful Christmas tree!
Although I have to admit that I’m not feeling too attractive in my glasses now after this post! *hides*
Random – I was talking with someone this very morning about lasik eye surgery and then I was *cough*procrastinating study* browsing the Daily Mail this morning and the first article I see is: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1334246/Tempted-laser-eye-surgery-Its-risks.html
I’m such a wimp. I’d love to be able to wake up and see (myself in all my early morning glory – maybe not!) but I don’t know if I’d have the courage to mess with my eyes. I’ll be interested to hear all of your experiences- maybe it’ll give me the courage to check it out one day!
Oh, I didn’t mean to make you feel bad about your glasses. I shouldn’t feel bad about mine either. They can’t hide our true beauty!
And I’m not reading that link…
Probably a wise move.
Umm, you definitely ARE as funny as you think you are
Thanks, but you are not here as I’m snorting at myself. It’s not attractive.
Love this idea! Not sure it would work on my tree at home though. Six dogs + edible ornaments = a very sad Christmas.
Lasik surgery IS worth it! Although I had it a couple of years ago and that week I had to go to work wearing my glasses instead of contacts was NOT pretty……..then again neither are the eye shields they give you after the surgery……….but I digress. Definitely worth it.
As always you have me cracking up laughing…….pea kitty sneaking up on you?!? haha. And you and Pea Daddy are too cute!
I have to admit I am TERRIFIED of Lasik surgery. There are two things I am obsessive over keeping in good condition on my body… my eyes and my teeth. I thought about Lasik and then I thought “what if they screw up?”
Pea Kitty can probably sense your weakness! Darn cat.
Eek. Don’t say that!
So cute, as always! Great activity for kids.
I agree with other Erin. Get over it, glasses are cute and you are cute!
I don’t think I’ll ever get lasik =/ Closest to being without my glasses might be contacts. I’m too attached to them! (for now)
You really have to post a picture with you IN the glasses. … Amazing coincidence, I am on day 5 of “no glasses” for the exact same reason. Two classes of hot yoga with glasses slipping off my nose, and one more to go – argh. Consult on Thursday to see if I’m a candidate. Hoping & praying. My husband had the surgery in the summer (sent him first to see what it was like – ha) and he loves it. Hope you can get yours done – your prescription is harsh – I feel for you. If I’m a candidate I am booking immediately before I chicken out. ps. your pea kitty comments kill me.
Oh, I’ll say a prayer for you too! And I’ll book ASAP too! Maybe new eyes for Christmas!
I’m sure if you mention that thing about pea kitty and the switchblade they’ll consider you a high-priority case and move you to the top of the list.
Or call the State Mental Hospital. So long as they let me wear my contacts there.
GOOD LUCK!
Hang in there! Lasik is so worth every single penny and every awful pre-surgery day in glasses. I had it 3 years ago and am still loving it!
So odd to read about you loathing your glasses so deeply! I personally feel naked and hideous without mine — I refuse to even try contacts because I’m too attached to my glasses (plus I can’t stand touching my eyes).
Regardless, best of luck! My mom got Lasik surgery years ago and it *changed* her life. She said it made her a new woman.
That’s awesome for you! Maybe I’ll feel that way by the end of the week? I seriously doubt it.
I can’t wear contacts…my eyeballs are too flat. Seriously. When the doctor told me that they were “too flat” I felt like laughing. Insert jokes about being flat here. I’m being punished somehow. I started wearing glasses at 20 and I HATE it! They still feel too heavy 7 years later.
In a year or so if my vision stays stable I’m going to look into lasik. If you do it, definitely let me know how it goes!
I think your glasses look awesome on you, Amanda! Definitely your “look.”
I totally recommend the LASIK. It’s worth it. It is amazing to not have to deal with glasses!! I can do Search and Rescue without worrying about losing a contact. I can work nights without the sand-in-the-eyeballs evil feeling. The glasses thing while you’re being screened and for the weeks before the surgery is a major pain, but it is TEMPORARY!!!
So worth it.
I’m sold!
Girlfriend, I feel you on the hatred for glasses. I am -7/-7 and my eyes keep getting worse…I have been wearing contacts since 7th grade. Whenever I put glasses on, I feel dizzy looking side to side, down, or up. I had to wear my glasses for a week last year when my dog scratched my cornea and it drove me absolutely NUTSO!
Looking side to side, down or up? That pretty much covers it all. Bad dog!
aah sarah i’m so excited for you! i know you’ve been struggling w/ these eyes forever, but i’m glad youre being a good patient and wearing those specs. and in the grand scheme, its only a week
wanted to wish you best of luck in being a candidate, but if not and they offer prk, i’ve seen lots of good results with that procedure, too. recovery is longer, but end results end up incredibly similar. make sure your surgeon is LEGIT, like, lasik is the basis of what he/she does all day long, they are ‘popular’ so to speak, and if you know anyone else who went to them, chat ‘em up and see how the results were. true, everyone is different, and each surgery is different, but those little things help to know.
i have to admit, i love my glasses, but it is so hard to function at work w/ them! trying to look through the head-light or microscope at other people’s eyes just doesnt work…so i’m w/ ya. since 12 when i got contacts, they’ve been in the majority of time. thats what they’re made for though, right?! glasses can be awesome, but with a -9.00, i understand your quips.
let me know how it goes!
Thank YOU! My surgeon is actually one of the best in the state, and though it will cost a little more (if I’m able to do it), I would never skimp on something like this. Now my $5 Target sunglasses are another story…
Sarah, I LOVE this post. I can TOTALLY relate to you with the glasses thing. -10 in one eye, -10.5 in the other. Yeah. Totally dread having to wear my extremely thick glasses when there is something up with my contacts. I have considered lasik before and when I just read in your post that you have to go without contact lenses for a week, I stopped breathing. But if you can do it, maybe I can. Congratulations and hang in there, I know it’s tough! And whether you can see them or not, those gingerbread cookies look adorable.
Thanks, Lauren. Day #3 today. It was hard because I had to drive to ballet in the rain (that can’t be safe!), and chat with all the cute, trendy ballet moms when I can barely look them in the eye through these things! If I can do it, you can for sure!!!
You ARE a cute trendy ballet mom. Way to go!
Hi MamaPea! I completely feel your pain. I was -9 in one eye and almost -10 in the other. My glasses were quite unattractive and let’s just say I was a complete danger to those on the road when I was driving while wearing my glasses. BUT… It was SO worth it. Having the surgery is such a life changer, especially for people with as bad of vision as us. You will not even remember the agony of having to wear your glasses. In fact, I’ve completely forgotten that I ever even wore contacts or glasses. I just wanted to send you some encouragement. Good luck and I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Thanks for the encouragement! I feel so awkward and completely unsafe right now, but I believe you when you say it will be worth it!
I am SO glad I’m not the only one who wears sports bras multiple times without washing. MULTIPLE.
It’s water conservation, my friend. If it doesn’t stink, don’t even blink. That’s my new motto.
My dog would definitely eat that tree! Ditto on the sports bra philosophy…I do the same with jeans….is that bad?
Same motto with jeans, “If they don’t stink, don’t even blink!”
Dislike Wham? Oh that is painful, its so good – how can you dislike a fabulous 80′s Christmas song! I mean really, that is the only Christmas song I listen to all year. TMI? Probably.
Hi Mama Pea,
I keep hearing about you on other blogs, but this is the first time I clicked over. I LOVE your writing!
Also, I’ve been forced to wear glasses most of the time for the past 4 years due to an autoimmune condition that dries my eyes like sandpaper (Sjorgren’s Syndrome). Anyway, glasses suck. I feel your pain. I hope one day I can be a candidate for LASIK but it’s not likely for now.
I will be back to your blog
Deanna (@dferrari)
I’m so sorry about your condition, but I’m glad you clicked over!
I feel your pain girl! I have a corneal disease and I’m legally blind in my left eye. But you’re very blessed that you have some options like LASIK!
I’m sorry to hear that, Sarah.