When I was young there were certain things that I was envious of those who had them. The first was braces. In the second grade I thought the kids who had braces in my class looked so mature and very grown up, and all I wanted was to be one of them. This naturally led me and my friends to wrap paper clips around our teeth, so we could look as ‘cool’ as the kids with retainers and braces. Of course, when I did get braces years later in high school, I wanted none of it.
The second was glasses. I thought glasses made people look sophisticated, unique, and smart. The desire to wear glasses hit through high school. I was envious of all the cute girls with glasses, I wanted more than anything to wear cute frames. This desire caused me to buy many pairs of cheap plastic frames from stores in the mall like Claire’s. I had probably seven or eight pairs of fake glasses, and wore them quite regularly for about a year.
Well anyway, my closest girlfriend got glasses about a month ago, and it got me to thinking about getting an eye exam. I have been getting headaches every time I try to read, as well as having a hard time focusing when I look at things close up to faraway. Yesterday I went in for an eye exam (my first in over 15 years!) and low and behold I do need glasses, though only for reading, painting, computer use, and things of that nature. Part of me is excited, because I can now call myself a member of the very elite glasses wearing club, but part of me is kind of sad. I had 20/20 vision my entire life, is this the first sign of the beginning of the end? What next, back aches and a hip replacement?! I am kidding of course, but it is quite a change for me.
I know I can’t talk about my glasses without sharing a picture of them, here they are. Do excuse the dumb expression on my face, they don’t seem to make me look smart!
I had wanted to get lenses put in my vintage frames (the ones in the last picture I posted), but they were unable to do so because the glasses are too delicate and slightly bent. I did settle on these basic black frames, but I am going to continue searching for a pair of vintage frames that I can get lenses put into.
On Saturday, I went to my favorite produce store which is known for its ridiculously low prices. I was shocked to find huge boxes of cherry tomatoes for only $2.99 a box. How could I resist that kind of deal?
I figured I would use as many as I can right away (most of which I just pop into my mouth every time I walk by), and then in a few days use whatever is left to make sauce that I can store in the fridge.
I decided to make something simple, light, and very refreshing with our dinner tonight. I marinated the tomatoes earlier today, and though I plan on serving the mix over a green salad, I keep sneaking in the fridge and taking little bites out of this. It is delicious on its own!
Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad
- 20-25 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 1/2 cups pitted olives (I bought two different types from the olive cart at the market)
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients. Cover and store in the fridge for at least one hour. Serve on its own, or over lettuce, with the dressing.
