When I started this blog (almost three years ago), I wrote some nice thoughts about how the name “Callapidder Days” refers to the fact that I’m always changing, always growing, etc. But the truth is, my natural inclination is to resist change as strongly as my 2-year-old resists diaper changes. Which, in case you were wondering, is, indeed, strongly. It usually involves screaming, running, stomping, and a hefty dose of denial. I’m referring, of course, to my toddler’s resistance; not to mine. (Though some of those descriptors just might apply to me, as well.)
Last week, I visited the eye doctor, after too many years of avoiding that appointment. The reason for my avoidance was three-fold:
1. I was switching to a new doctor. My previous eye doctor gave me a prescription that made me dizzy and nauseated and then refused to change it for me, forcing me to get a second exam from a different doctor, who agreed to remove the dizziness-inducing element from the prescription. So I decided to switch to a whole new practice…and it took me several years to work up the gumption to find a new place and actually call to make an appointment.
2. The glaucoma-testing machine. My dad had glaucoma, so I know it’s important for me to let that little green light zoom in at my eye and then “puff.” But still, I don’t like it. I don’t like things near my eyes. I don’t like things puffing on my eyes. And also, I’ve been known to yelp when the puff surprises me. And that’s embarrassing.
3. I stink at picking out new frames. It was time for new frames; my old ones were scratched and bent. They’d served me well for four years, but it was time for a change. And there’s the rub — that whole change thing.
In the end, I overcame my resistance and visited the new vision center last week. My doctor was very nice, and I didn’t even yelp during the glaucoma test. The doctor even told me that I have “beautiful optic nerves.” I always knew there was something special about me, but I wasn’t sure what it was. Now I know: it’s my optic nerves. They’re beautiful.
But then came the moment I’d been dreading: choosing new frames. Let me give you a little background. Here’s me in my old glasses:
I’ve always had roundish or ovalish frames. Always. For 17 years now. So I decided to try something different. I thought I’d go with something a little more square and a little less shiny.
And so, the search began. I went to every display section in the store. I tried on countless frames, scrutinized myself in the magnifying mirrors, and found nothing. With each and every pair, I thought, “No, that doesn’t look good at all.” Finally, after 20 minutes of fruitless searching, I was approached by a friendly sales associate who quickly regretted her friendliness.
She asked what I was looking for and I told her about my “more square and less shine” idea. She directed me to a seat and then scurried around the room, gathering about 25 frames for me to try. Guess how many of them I liked.
Zero. Maybe I should just stick with my old frames.
More scurrying by the friendly sales associate, although by this time, her smile was looking a bit more pasted-on. Another tableful of frames.
This time, with a little coercion, I decided I liked three frames. But there was no way I was going to be able to narrow it down any further.
Exasperated, I asked her, “Which ones do you think I should get?”
I think sales associates are trained to not answer this question, because she did a lot of hemming and hawing and saying things like, “I think you should pick the pair that you’re going to love.” Which wasn’t helpful at all.
So I did a little coercion of my own and finally she pointed to one pair and said, “I think that pair looks best on you. And they’re very stylish.”
Since I have the fashion sense of a tree stump, I just took her word for it.
And since the pair she pointed out was the least expensive of the three, I decided to go for it.
The finished glasses arrived in the store on Thursday and when I went to pick them up, another associate gushed, “Oh, I just love these glasses!” I hoped I would love them too.
But when I got home, I wasn’t convinced. They certainly were different. More square, yes. Less shiny, yes. But half rimless, which I’ve never done. And the sides/temples have this funky double-barred, two-tone design. A little flashy for a girl who spends most of her time in jeans and fleece pullovers. I looked in the mirror for a long time trying to decide if I could really go out in public in these things. And then I wondered if I should have just skipped the whole change thing and gone with a nice, no-risk, ovalish pair.
I decided to ask the most brutally honest people in this house: the kids.
First, I approached L. (2). He stared at my face for a long, long time, with a very contemplative look on his face. and then announced, “Nice!” So far, so good.
C. (10) wasn’t as sure, but he attempted to compliment me anyway: “Actually, they don’t look half bad.” I’m not sure what that means. Do they look half good? Or maybe more than half bad? 49% bad and 51% good? I have no idea.
But whether they look good or not, they’re mine. And I’m certainly not going to go through the hassle of picking out another pair. Besides, I’m sure if I show up there anytime soon, the friendly sales associate will suddenly have an “emergency” and need to leave immediately.
Are you curious? Okay, here’s the new look. The pained look on my face is because this is probably the fifty-third picture I took of myself this morning (attempting to minimize the “fine lines” around my eyes, the shinyness, and the extra chins), and my smiling muscles were just plain tired.
And because I’m sure you came here today wanting to see a zoomed-in picture of my eye the fancy double-barred design, I’ll show you that too.
I’m still not sure. But change is good. Right? Or at least, change is something you get used to after a while… I hope.
I hate picking out new frames, too, but I think you did a great job. I love your new look!
I think they look good!
After my last solo selection of frames, I’ve resolved to always take my husband along, and trust his judgment.
Love the glasses- the double frames are WAY cool. Congrats on being a finalist in the Scholastic contest… isn’t it exciting?! Glad to meet you and your delightful blog!
ooo I love them!!!! Very cool and way more than half good
.. My eyes are really close together.. so I have the pleasure of shopping in the children section.. so I shoot for ones that don’t glow in the dark 
Ooo — those ARE fancy/funky. I like them. I think that change is good. If you end up hating them, you can go back to same old, same old.
I just found out that we’ll have vision coverage when Terry switches jobs, which we haven’t had before, but I am due for an eye exam, and I think that I would like new frames (maybe). I don’t think that my prescription is spot-on either, but I don’t really “need” glasses. They help, but when I scratched my eye recently, that doctor said, “You’d still pass a driving test without them,” which is good since I don’t always wear them while driving.
I love them!! Even tho I’m the type of person to tell someone that just to make them feel better, I’m definitely not this time!! They are a fantastic shape on you…very flattering. I think you hit the nail on the head – change is not always easy. But in this case it was, for sure, for the best. Your look is now very updated and modern…and super classy. And I wouldn’t worry about pairing those w/ a sweatshirt…fancy glasses can dress up ANY outfit!!
Tell your little reluctant optical helper that she ‘donea good thing!
You look great…
I love the look of your new frames!! Awesome choice, friend.
Hey, wow! I love the new glasses. They really show off your beautiful eyes. Congrats on the new look.
Cute glasses. I had a really hard time picking mine out, too, so I can sympathize but yours are really nice looking. I like them even better than the old ones.
I LOVE them!! They look so good on you and they totally suit your beautiful face!
I know exactly how you felt – I went through the same thing a few years ago when I decided to take a chance and get some funky frames. Thankfully the girls in my dr’s office are very helpful and encouraging. I ended up picking a pink (PINK!!) pair of frames…and didn’t wear them for a whole week after I brought them home. I was so nervous about them! But then I went out in the one evening and got so many compliments, that I knew I had the right pair!
You’ll get used to them – and that’s from one used-to-be-roundish-frame girl to another!
The thing I really love about them is that I see your EYES and not your glasses. Great choice! I really like the way they look on you. You’re wearing THEM and not the other way around!
IMHO I think they really suit you and show off your eyes and the double arms are really neat! You done good!
Love them! Wonderful!
those are ADORABLE! love ‘em!!
Hey there! I’m new to your blog. I’m visiting via a link from Snapshot. I love your new glasses! They look wonderful!
Oh I LIKE those!! They look very nice on you!
… hubby and I have eye appointments Friday. I hate picking out frames too. Wish me luck lol
I love them! I think they definitely make you look younger! Great choice! I have to go do the same thing soon…new frames.
K, I am not a fan of picking out frames… which is why I have held the same ones for 5 years. I think what you have picked out is much more than 51% good. I must agree with L., as well. They are very nice!
I like them!
I just had to pick out new glasses and when for big and chunky. I was hoping that I had less of a chance of my girls breaking them when we bump into each other, which we seem to do quite often. 
Oh my… gorgeous! That’s the first thing that comes to mind looking at your pictures.
And as a fellow reader/blogger with glasses, I have to say I love your new ones
I like them! I think they show off your pretty eyes and face! And I thought you looked great in both shots. I do have glaucoma, a few years ago they found that my pressure is too high so I have to do drops every day plus get a check up every 4 months to monitor the pressure. I hate that puff of air! I don’t think I’ve yelped but I squint without meaning to and then they have to shoot it about 4+ times to get a reading, by then my eyes are watering so much it really looks bad…that machine is no fun!
Looking forward to spring reading, cute button!
I love them! Not that I want my eyes to continue to deteriorate, but last year my doc gave me a RX that was the equivalent of the glasses you can buy at the drugstore counter. He even recommended the local CVS as a great option to consider. I was humiliated and never filled it. And when I finally do NEED a real Rx, I’ve got my eyes on a pair just like yours, in a coppery colored metal. I think you chose a very chic, flattering style.
And yes, I know my reluctance to buy a pair of drugstore ones is total vanity and pride. I’ve decided I’m okay with that for now.
Change IS good, but scary sometimes for me. Way to be brave, though. The new look is great!
53? That made me laugh!
I love your new look! When I picked out my frames I pretty much went with whatever the frame chick recommended–and I get lots of compliments! I wasn’t sure how much I would really wear mine, having had contacts since 9th grade, but I love them and wear glasses almost exclusively now (of course, it could have something to do with being lazy and not wanting to mess with solutions and the like).