Thursday, October 22, 2009

Slice of Lime-Good Grief!

Well, we've already established my son's ability to relate to Charlie Brown. We've had another example. The poor kid has needed glasses since kindergarten. Since about 5th grade he has actually required bifocals. We have somewhat crappy coverage for eye care so getting bifocals means shelling out about $300. This means he has been drilled extensively on properly caring for the costly spectacles. When he was younger he was noted for irreparably breaking them just after the warranty expired and just before the insurance would kick in whatever pittance was allowed toward a new pair.
I was delighted when, during his last exam, Isaac was told his prescription had not changed so we could keep the same glasses and lenses. I've been thrilled that he's been able to keep the glasses intact for 2 years.
I rejoiced too soon as you can see.



Take a good look. The poor kid came home from school and handed me the pieces of glasses with great trepidation.
He explained how the great mangling of spectacles came to occur and asked if I was mad. It had clearly been an accident so I assured him that though I was less than thrilled about having to pay for a new pair I was in no way angry with him, that's why it's called an accident.
So yes, we ordered a new pair and too his credit Isaac was careful to pick a set of frames on the economical side. The good news is a local jeweler was able to solder together the old pair. He wasn't sure how long it would hold but if it gets him through for the week or so we have to wait for the new pair it will be all we need. In fact, for this week, that solder job is what I am counting.

17 comments:

Craver Vii said...

I'd like to know how long the solder holds. It was kind of you to respond with grace; I'm sure he appreciates that.

Desmond Jones said...

Well, you know, there's always ductape. . .

And, at least as much as 'economical', he might want to consider 'durable', as well. . .

Molly has needed some 'optical help' for the past few years (between the two of us, tho, we've been blessed with good eyes - neither of us needed glasses until our late 40s), and she's taken to buying those 'cheapo' specs off the rack at Meijer's; that way, when they inevitably get crunched, it's only a $10 hit. I don't think they sell bifocals on those racks, tho. . .

But - what Craver said; you are a kind and gracious mom. . .

S said...

Thank goodness for soldering and welding.

Did you know that you could weld plastic? Yes, you can! We found out because Mr Ratburn crashed his kayak and gouged a HUGE hole in the side of his craft. The invention of Plastic welding will now save us $600. hurray!

Crashing the kayak...well, thats another story.

S said...

Oh btw, I am sure your son is ever grateful that you didnt require him to go to school with white tape holding the glasses halves together!

(You could remind him of that IF he needs it!)

Bijoux said...

As the mom of a kid who needed bifocals at age ONE, I feel your pain. We've had a number of broken frames here, but the wire ones have usually been better than the plastic, at least for us!

Gledwood said...

well that is shyte.


sue the opticians!

Gledwood said...

ps will solder really hold a pair of constantly-worn spexx together..?

Jayme Malvagio said...

Ah, that poor child. I have a nephew that fights the constant battle to keep his spectacles in one piece, it seems he is always on the losing side of the fight though...

lime said...

craver, as i said..i am hoping it holds at least until the new ones come in. and i try to be gracious when it's truly not his fault.

desmond, well they broke exactly at the point where the nose piece joins the frame. kind of a difficult spot to tape.

s, wow, plastic welding? who knew?

cocotte, wow, i've always wondered how they even determine such a thing at such a young age for a kid.

gledwood, he got over 2 years out of these specs so thats' a personal record. i can't complain. as for the solder, we shall see....

jayme, it's a tough battle. my boy would like to get contacts so we don't have this issue but he just has too many things going on with his eyes so he's not really a candidate for contacts.

Mona said...

I hate it when that happens!

Progressive lenses are expensive...

Suldog said...

Oh, God, I know the feeling - and recently, too. I forgot to mention, in my vacation story, that I totally SAT on my distance glasses and popped out both lenses at the same time AND bent the frames. Luckily, they were an old pair I keep in the car for emergencies, and not my newest pair, but still...

I empathize, totally.

G-Man said...

Super Glue...Duct Tape!!

Thats all you'll ever need....:-)

Kat said...

What, you're not going to make him wear tape on his glasses? That is very sweet of you. :)

lime said...

mona, you're not kidding!

suldog, oh man, what a horrible moment of realization.

gman, duct tape is amazing stuff

kat, like i said, the spot where they broke was not really tapeable

Commander Zaius said...

Been there in that situation a couple of times with my daughter. Even worse we buy two pairs of glasses, given the eye care plan my wife has through her work, and Wiggles has broken one pair and the lens on the other are about scratched up beyond usefulness.

This is the second set, the first set she broke both frames and lost the lens in one of those frames.

She goes back to the eye doctor in a couple of months and we are hoping she can make it through with the one pair of glasses she has has now.

If we make it through to the new eye prescription the insurance has to pop for two new pairs again.

Ananda girl said...

Oh that's terrible. Poor Isaac! I know that feeling of dread when your glasses die.

Jocelyn said...

Did the accident involve a cute girl kissing him passionately, to the point the specs snapped? I hope so. I'd forgive that, too.