The Eyes Don't Have It

Began the morning with breakfast and The Backyardigans. There were a lot of truly unique episodes in this series, but one of the most unusual is definitely "Samurai Pie." Austin learns to make pie the samurai way from Master baker Tyrone. They attempt to make The Great Pie for Empress Tasha while avoiding pie-snitching ninjas Pablo and Uniqua.

Headed out around quarter after 11. I had a few stops to make before my eye exam. Dropped a bag of clothes I no longer wanted in the bins behind Dollar General, then walked into Collingswood. Picked up four bagels at Kismet Bagels to have for lunch or dinner the rest of the week, as they wouldn't be open on my way back from Kresloff Eye Associates.

Had lunch at Cafe Antonio's about two blocks down from Kismet Bagels. They were relatively busy, but I ate up front, near the drink coolers. I had a slice of broccoli and tomato and a slice of chicken tomato basil. The latter was so thick, I couldn't finish it. Washed it down with a Diet Coke.

Kreslof Eye Associates is another two blocks down Haddon Avenue from Cafe Antonio's. For once, I was actually there over 15 minutes early. I had plenty of time to check my e-mail...and got a major disappointment when I did. The after-school program hadn't approved of my request for time off from September 22nd through the 26th for vacation! I figured they'd be ok with it because the school was closed one of those days for Rosh Hashanah, but they apparently want everyone there all month to settle the kids in. I was horrified. Lauren and I planned this for months. I had no idea how to tell her.

My eye exam itself went fairly well after all that. My left eye is slightly worse, but not bad enough to really worry about. My glasses themselves, however, needed to be replaced. The lenses are pretty scratched by now. They didn't have thinner wire frames I liked, so I ended up with thicker frames in a nifty blue-red swirl. With the extra-thick lenses, however, they cost $429...and that was with a heavy discount from my insurance! I paid it, but I wasn't happy.

There's a reason I walked there instead of taking the bike. My eyes were blurry and sensitive to light after being given eye drops to help them with my exam. I did manage to stop at The Candy Shop in Collingswood to try their gelato. Had the coffee chocolate chip. Yum. Crumbly, but cold and sweet, and more coffee than chip. 

The other reason I walked was the weather remains too gorgeous for rushing. It was sunny, bright, and blue, in the mid-80's without a hint of humidity. The shady green leaves in the park were especially nice and cool as I headed for the stone steps that led up to Clinton Avenue.

Put on Summer Holiday as soon as I got home. I go further into this charming 1963 British musical with then-popular rock star Cliff Richard at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Summer Holiday (1963)

Worked on Hilary and the Beasts while the movie was on. Hilary, Mackie, and her siblings gather two hours before midnight on New Year's Eve to make plans. C.J got another record from KDKA to record Pavla, while Maple intends to grab that last record from Eagle's office they hadn't heard yet. Betty comes downstairs, reading the book Bear gave her for Christmas. She knows who Bear is now, and that the stories they wrote were his way of telling her he was still in there. Maple realizes who Eagle is now, too...and Hilary's had a good idea all along who Troll was. She just never wanted to admit it to herself. Mackie insists on going along, even though he's terrified and is still recovering from the flu.

Watched Match Game Syndicated while eating dinner. Fred Travalena and his many (occasionally annoying) voices were spotlighted this week. Also joining in were gruff and deadpan Robert Donner, goofy and slightly ditzy Betty Kennedy (I have no problems believing she did Cheech and Chong movies), and Fannie Flagg.

Finished the night with the cast albums for two musicals that were either set in or played in jolly old England. I have no idea where The Prince and the Pauper came from or where it played, but it does have some nice music. This charming 1963 adaptation of the Mark Twain novel apparently gave John Davidson one of his earliest roles as the roguish Miles Hendon. It's the Prince (Carol Blodgett) and Pauper (Joan Shepherd) who get the most memorable songs, including "Garbage Court Round" in the opening, "Why Don't We Switch?", and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" with Davidson.

Pickwick, based on The Pickwick Papers, was a far bigger and better-known hit in London that same year. Comedian Harry Secombe became best-known for playing the wealthy businessman Samuel Pickwick who gets into major trouble around Christmas when he inadvertently makes his landlady believe she's married to him. Pickwick's declaration of what he'd do "If I Ruled the World" was the major hit here. Other good songs include the charming ensemble number "That's What I'd Like for Christmas" and lovely "Look Into Your Heart." Too bad this doesn't seem to have done nearly as well on this side of the pond, despite the tour introducing Davy Jones to American audiences. 

Seeing Is Believing

Happily slept in this morning. It was past 11 when I had breakfast while watching one of the newest episodes of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. Miss Elaina and Daniel are thrilled to help with "Jodi's Lemonade Stand," but not when it starts raining and they leave the sign they made outside. Lady Elaine encourages them to say all the things they need out loud in order to remember it all. Dan Sr. also tells his son that "Daniel Remembers What He Needs" for school when he says them to himself.

Went straight into a slightly older episode as I got organized. "Daniel and Miss Elaina Bake Pretzels" with Baker Aker. Elaina's upset when Daniel rolls his dough too close to her, and then Dan's not happy when Jodi tries to nose in and see his butterfly pretzel. Baker Aker reminds the kids to give them enough room to do what they need to do. "O Gives Daniel Space" when they play library at the treehouse. 

Switched to Match Game '77 on Buzzr before heading out around 12:30. I really needed to pick up my new glasses. I heard from Kresloff's earlier in the week, but I didn't have the time to get them then. I thought of going on Tuesday, but I was just too darn tired. I walked right in and sat down, and they had them for me within a minute. Got a new case, too, and a new fabric wipe along with cleaner. 

I love them! Everything is so much sharper and brighter than it used to be. I can see so much more detail, too. They're insanely thick, though, much thicker than the old ones. I didn't realize my eyes were that bad. I'm glad I chose the frames I did, though. The lenses are a bit more squarish than the old ones, and the earpieces have a lovely flowery design with little crystals on them. They're a metallic brown, and really pretty. 

On my way to the Station House office building, I saw a new comic book store next door in what used to be a gym that specialized in stationary bikes. They were a huge square room filled with boxes and shelves of comics, along with Funco Pops and other geeky toys. I didn't see much that interested me, but Lauren will probably love it when she visits after Memorial Day.

Did my grocery shopping next. Found inexpensive salt-free almonds and a container of celery and carrot sticks at the Westmont Acme, but they only had the more expensive 8-packs of Larabars. I ended up getting more of Target's apple and lemon date bars. Needed anti-itch cream there, too. Stopped at Family Dollar for a pack of underwear.

The dark clouds that gathered all afternoon finally burst as I walked out of Family Dollar. I was hoping to run a few more errands, but decided better dry than sorry. I rushed home in a downpour and a thunderstorm. Thank goodness I was only a few blocks from home, and the rain waited until I'd been at home for at least a half-hour to really start pouring.

Went straight upstairs and into a nap. I'm still really, really wiped out. I've been nodding off standing up everywhere, including at work. Went down around 3; didn't get up until 5.

Had an early dinner while watching Match Game '76. Saw the last episode of Brianne Leary's run as a contestant. She won about $9,000...enough for her to drop her day job and pursue acting. She'd become the only contestant who later appeared on the panel when she turned up in Match Game '79 after starring on Chips. For some reason, they skipped the next two episodes and went right into the week with Bob Barker, Patty Duke, and Fannie Flagg. They get to help a very pretty lady with "__ Nation" on the Audience Match...but it's the contestant who gets it right!

Worked on writing for a while next. Charles manages to get him and Brett down from the cliff by holding onto his hat...literally, which allows them to float down. Brett's just grateful they're back on the ground. They have to dodge the fearsome Jabberwock and find their way out and get Brett to jump to the next square.

I also got my schedule. Somewhat better schedule, only one 8 1/2 hour day and two days off. I also work late enough on Tuesday that I should be able to get my appointment with Vocational Rehabilitation in and not have to ask for that day off. 

Finished the night on HBO Max with Tootsie. Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) is a stage actor teaching classes and desperately searching for work in New York City. He hears about a job on soap opera Southwestern Hospital from his girlfriend Sandy (Terri Garr) and goes for it, despite it being for a woman. He dresses in drag and calls himself "Dorothy Michaels" to audition. 

Not only does he land the part, he's a sensation, playing the role as a tough, no-nonsense feminist, rather than the silly female the sexist director Ron (Dabney Coleman) originally wrote. He has a crush on his co-star Julie Nichols, but she's more interested in how to deal with her faltering relationship with Ron. Her father Les (Charles Durning) and his hammy co-star John Van Horn (George Gaynes) both have crushes on him. All he wanted was to make enough money to put on his best friend Jeff's (Bill Murray) play...but he's going to have to play the role of his life if he wants to talk his way out of this!

I vaguely remember seeing this as a young child and enjoying the familiar cast, but not really understanding much else. I like it a lot more now that I understand the soap opera conventions they're spoofing and how Michael learns about the differences between the sexes, and just how hard it is to be a woman out there. A great script and terrific supporting cast makes this highly recommended, especially for fans of 80's comedies or Hoffman. 

The Eyes and Dolls Have It

Ate a really quick breakfast this morning, then dashed out for my first of two appointments today. Kresloff Eye Associates is in a blocky office building on Haddon Avenue. Unfortunately, I thought it was further down in Westmont and went in totally the wrong direction. It's in Collingswood, in the Station Office Building. I was upset when I rushed in 15 minutes late, but the secretary who took my information said I made it in just within their grace period.

Though I was technically here for a routine eye exam, my real reason for the exam was to replace my glasses. I haven't had new glasses since at least 2008. The wire frames themselves have actually held up pretty well over fourteen years, but the lenses are scratched to the point where they're getting really hard to see through. I had contacts for a while in the early-mid 2010's, but not only did replacing them get too expensive, but I got tired of putting them in. I chose an attractive brown wire pair with a shape similar to my current ones.

Made a few short stops in Collingswood next. Since it's about four blocks from the Station Office Building, I hit PNC Bank next. Treated myself to a tasty Blackberry & Cream Smoothie from WaWa after that and drank it on a bench at Knight Park. It was cloudy and cool earlier, but by that point, the sun was trying to come out. It jumped into the 70's, even as I headed home. 

Went straight home and into Match Game '78 and a quick lunch. Ace pitcher (and later announcer) Don Sutton fields talk about the Dodgers' loss in the World Series in the opening, much to the annoyance of New Yorker Jon "Bowzer" Bauman. Nancy Lane is a lot more nervous when she has to figure out "__ Writer" on the Head-to-Head.

Changed the dolls into less formal clothes for late spring after the show ended. Molly pairs the red shoes from Samantha's Spring Dress with an eBay recreation of her Victory Garden Dress. Samantha celebrates her birthday in her Pink Striped Birthday Dress and ruffly pinafore. The boots from her Ice Cream Dress actually suit this outfit even better. Whitney wears the Our Generation Retro Picnic Outfit with simple black flats. Ariel boldly shows her middrift in a brief ruffled top and floral bell bottoms Lauren sent for Christmas two years ago. Jessa's more laid back in the high-necked striped shirt from her original meet outfit and Springfield Collection capris and sneakers. Felicity's ready to help me dust in her green striped Work Gown. Josefina celebrates Cinco Del Mayo in her pretty red and gold print dress and black velvet vest with the black mules. 

Finished them with almost literally no time to spare before counseling. I had a lot to tell Mrs. Stahl. Like Mom, she's proud of me for seeing so many doctors and finally getting some ideas of what's wrong with me. Now I just need to talk to Vocational Rehabilitation, so I can learn how to push through my fears and get a decent job (and finally get the blood work done).

One of my neighbors from Hillcrest finally agreed to help me get some things to storage that I didn't need, and pull out things that I wanted in the apartment. Everything went fine until we got to the door to my storage area. I couldn't figure out the lock. I panicked and got upset, going on and on like an idiot until my neighbor realized I never reset the lock. I didn't there, either. I really just wanted to get my boxes and get out. I'll do it another time.

It started to rain while we were in the storage unit. It thankfully took a temporary leave of absence as we hauled everything back to my place. The rain returned shortly after I got in and has been off and on for the rest of the night. 

Among the things I finally retrieved were my adult paperback novels, the bin with the collectible bears, an empty wooden bin for records, and the boxes with my wooden cut-outs that I made in wood shop classes at the Special Services Middle School years ago. Found my crocheting books and supplies, too. I had the yarn here, but not the needles. Moved the Star Wars books to the living room on two crates next to the TV and put the paperbacks in their place in my bedroom. The stuffed animals went on my bed or the top of the record crates. 

(Also brought in my final two birthday presents to myself. Look for Holiday In Mexico next week for Cinco Del Mayo, and the notoriously bad early talkie operetta Golden Dawn later in the month!) 

Watched more Match Game as I worked, and later as I had leftovers for dinner, starting with Match Game '76. Richard pulled off a big win for an older woman with the difficult "__ Ball" on the Head to Head. Greg Morris and Elaine Joyce are more interested in where sparks fly out of the Six Million Dollar Man when the Bionic Woman kisses him. 

Brett definitely likes a 71-year-old man who claims he's a veteran bartender ("mixologist") in the Match Game '77 episode. She's also pretty impressed when Dick Martin actually starts matching the contestant for once, and there's Patti Deustch's name for "boxing gloves." Patti did even better on the Audience Match in the next episode, topping Richard's answer for "__ Army." Later, Gene used one of the seats as a trumpet to get the question across to Charles.

Patti and Dick carried over into the Match Game PM episode for that week. Gene makes jokes about a contestant with a long, bushy hair and beard that makes him resemble Grizzly Adams. Brett and the other ladies thinks he looks fine the way he is. Richard has an even easier time with "Jack the __" on the Head-to-Head.

Finally put my laundry away, then finished the night on Amazon Prime with Babes On Broadway. I go further into the third Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland teen backstage movie at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Babes On Broadway

The Eyes Don't Have It

Work went well today, quiet with no major problems and only a small crowd around noon. The absolutely stunning weather (80 degrees and no humidity) probably played a major role. It might be just as well. I had enough trouble with my eye exam.

The exam itself went well enough. I finally went to a brand-new America's Best that opened earlier this year in the shopping center behind the Acme. America's Best takes up the second-largest store next to the free-standing Staples, in the block that also includes Pepboys, a nail salon, a laudromat, and Audubon's post office. I first had a small pre-exam to check if I had any major eye injuries or illnesses. After that, I waited for about fifteen minutes. I sat in the bland waiting area (just metal benches, no reading material or anything) listening to the women gossip until I couldn't stand it, then went in the main lobby/glasses area to look at the newest frames.

Dr. Chang was very nice when I finally got in. After a series of the usual tests (flashing a light in my eyes, having me read letters), she told me most of what I already knew. My eyes are lousy. I have a small stigma in my left eye (which is why the left one is lazy). What I HADN'T known is that they've gotten slightly worse since 2000. THAT hurt. Mom told me my eyes should have stabilized by now!

On the other hand, she also told me I could wear contacts as long as it was a special prescription. THAT, I could handle. I've wanted to try contacts. My sister Rose and my Aunt Terri wear them with no problems. Not only did I think my eyes were too bad for contacts, but I figured they would be a bad idea for me. I'm so clumsy, I assumed I'd break them, or they would be too scratchy and make my eyes water constantly, or they'd never stay in place.

Glasses didn't go nearly as well. Even after choosing an inexpensive pair, my huge lenses were way outside of their sales. The glasses and the special custom prescription lenses would cost over $280 all together...and I've heard that's cheap! I told her we'd probably have to wait for October.

So, no glasses now. I have vacation this month, and I don't know how I'm going to afford bills and my rent and vacation and glasses. It was probably a stupid idea to get an eye exam when I'm still paying for dental appointments. I should have just called the damn union about my insurance. I hate calling people. The union should have just sent me the vision claim I'd asked for instead of a dental claim! And I really, really, REALLY hate asking for money. I haven't done it in years, but it makes me feel like a little kid. I'm proud of my independence. I've spent most of my life having to let people buy me things because I couldn't get a job or money.

I wouldn't have even bothered with an eye exam now, but the glasses I'm wearing now are my old prescription from the mid-late 90s. The frames are in decent shape, but I'm getting really bad double vision, and I have a hard time reading things far away. I'm really worried. I should have done this in March, when I got my check, but I just didn't think. I NEVER think. And when I don't think about things before I do them, I get into trouble.

When Things Were Rotten

Today was not a good day. No, I never made it to Yogawood. I slept too late. I walked over to Dad's and gave him his share of the Christmas and Easter pictures instead. (There were a few shots of my porch in the fall and during the only snowstorm we had last year, and three pictures of Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations I took to remember how I did them so I can do them again more-or-less the same way this year. Obviously, Dad didn't get those.) Dad was still cleaning the pool, this time sweeping the bottom. I caught him at a good time. He, Jodie, and Jessa are going on a trip to Bethlehem, PA to visit relatives and to do some work for Campbell's Soup for Jodie. (Campbell's has their headquarters in Camden and Jodie is a tour guide and head of phone operators there.)

I went for a walk around the neighborhood after I left Dad. I wandered down some side streets behind West Clinton and ended up at the Oaklyn-Lions Park. I rode a few slides and goofed around a little at the playground, then headed home across the large lawn/baseball field. I wasn't even half-way there when I felt something small and sharp sting one of my toes. Sure enough, there was a huge bee dripping nasty stuff on my toes and sandal. Ugh. I managed to get both the bee and the stinger out, but I limped to Doria's Deli for roast beef and a Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi soda, and then limped home.

I remembered Mom used made a paste out of baking soda and water and apply that to bee stings, so I did that as soon as I got in. It still feels a little sore, but not as bad as when it first happened. I must have gotten the stinger out in time. I spent the rest of the afternoon looking up Free Library of Philadelphia Branches near the PATCO stops without much luck. Apparently, most of the people in the Philadelphia area who read are in northern or western Philly. I only found four anywhere close to the PATCO - one in Chinatown, two on South Broad Street, and one in South Philly. I was hoping to volunteer at one of them.

Work was going fine until an hour and a half before my shift was done. I took off my glasses to wipe them and accidentally bent the wire frames. When I tried to pull them back into shape, one side of the glasses snapped off the nose piece! I was so upset. No matter what nice things my customers said, I still felt embarrassed. I had to work almost literally blind as one of my co-workers tried to glue them back together. It didn't work. The glue just got all over the lenses. There just wasn't enough to reattach. (Good thing I can pretty much do the register by rote now.) I ended up having to call for a ride home. One of the teenage girls managed to tape them together long enough for Jodie and Jessa to get me and my bike home and for me to go over to Dad's house to see if anyone there could help.

Dad and Uncle Ken finally used something hot and smelly called Nassau to get them to stick together temporarily after duct tape and more super glue didn't hold. Rose and her boyfriend Craig were there, too. Rose offered to take me to the Lens Crafters in the Cherry Hill Mall tomorrow to get new frames and maybe even (finally) get my eyes examined. That's something else I've put off for seven years. I haven't been to the eye doctor or had new glasses since 2001. I haven't had the money! I was seriously broke for at least two years after moving to Wildwood, which was not helped by the sudden death of my laptop.

This means I'll have to do the laundry later than planned. I can't do it on Friday morning - I work at 11PM. It means I may not get into Philadelphia like I'd hoped, which means I won't be able to for the second week in a row.

This is just so, so frustrating. It's what happens when you procrastinate. I shouldn't have put off getting glasses and doing my teeth once I did have the money. It might not have cost so much now.