I have poor vision.

I first got glasses to read the blackboard at school when I was in second grade. By the time I was 10, I needed to wear them all the time. My prescription got stronger and stronger through my junior-high years (because it wasn’t middle school way back then), and the technology to make thinner lenses wasn’t around yet. Or perhaps it was but cost more money than my parents were willing to spend on their growing child’s glasses.  I remember being given a limited selection of frames that could handle my coke-bottle lenses.

Glasses in the 80s were awful. And so was my hair in that time. Add braces, and my “awkward years” truly were terrible!

When I was 15, I was finally allowed to get contacts. Ever since then,  I have rarely worn glasses. Maybe sometimes on lazy weekends at home, but it doesn’t happen too often.

Just after Christmas at my annual eye appointment, my doctor noticed some irritation in my left eye. When I looked it barely seemed red, but apparently under the microscope it looked bad. Something that could become much worse.

She told me I couldn’t wear my contacts for a week. Yikes!

I fortunately got new glasses last year, and my prescription hadn’t changed.  But I really wasn’t used to wearing them. Since most people I know have only ever seen me in contacts, they don’t even know I need vision correction. So everyone I see asks about the glasses!

It’s also quite annoying to run with glasses. They fog up! Sure I’m used to wearing sunglasses … but you don’t become blind when you remove them to clean the lenses!

At my follow-up appointment this week, she told me it was OK to wear my contacts again. But after only two days, I noticed it was looking red again.  Back to glasses.

I have another appointment next week that’s supposed to be a contact lens fitting, but there’s probably a good chance it will become a medical visit instead …

So for now, this is me.

When I was growing up, my parents kept a tall mug on top of my Dad’s dresser. Whenever he deposited their checks (this was way before direct deposit!), he would take out however much cash they thought they would need until the next pay cycle, and stash it in the mug.

Whenever their wallets were running low, they would grab a few bills from the mug. Since there weren’t ATMs either, this was the easiest way to get money!

Nowadays, I carry very little cash. I use credit cards for everything, but it’s not a bad thing. I’m a responsible credit card user. I don’t spend more than I can afford, and I pay off my balance in full each statement.

Since I’ve been constantly training lately — meeting friends for a run, heading to the pool, going for a ride — I got into the habit of putting my  most-used items in a small change purse that attached to my keys. No need to bring my wallet and/or purse, I had everything I needed. License, credit card, pool pass and maybe even a little cash sometimes.

When I went on vacation a few weeks ago, I didn’t even bring my wallet, I just stuffed a few more things into my change purse.  I continued using this as a downsized wallet for a week after vacation, too.

Then last Friday as I was heading out the door for work, I pulled my keys out of my purse and it was gone. My little change purse wasn’t in my bag or attached to the keys. But there was an empty ring still attached where it used to be.

I tried not to panic as I dug through my purse and searched my car, carefully scanning the pathway between my porch and driveway.

I was pretty sure I knew what happened.  The night before, I had to pick up a few things at the supermarket. As I was leaving, I dropped my keys in the parking lot.  And after I picked them up, I held them in the same hand as my grocery bag, heavy with jars of pasta sauce.

If the drop didn’t break it off, it could have given way as I crossed the parking lot, keys in hand.

Rather than heading off to work that morning, I went back to the store. I retraced my footsteps in the parking lot and searched the lost-and-found, but it was gone.

At this point, I had been using my mini-wallet for a while and it was pretty stuffed. I knew exactly what was in there …

I immediately called my credit card companies (I was carrying both Visa and Discover cards) to issue new numbers.  (Totally quick and easy, by the way. Unfortunately this must happen a lot!)

Also lost: my FSA debit card (Can you believe charge $5 for a new card?), pool pass with four more swims left, a $5 bill, my ATM card, and a Visa gift card that still had about $85 on it. Yikes!

Once all the cards were taken care of, I headed over to the MVA (Maryland’s version of the DMV) to replace my license. Twenty dollars and 30 minutes later, I had a new license and headed off to work very late.

I had no money with me.  I did have a Panera gift card in my actual wallet (still safe and sound!) just in case, but one of my co-workers covered me for pizza.  My boss lent me $20 for gas to make sure I could make it home … it was going to be close! Of course I could have also gone to the bank and filled out a withdrawal form, but the branch of my bank nearest my office isn’t all that convenient. And the area is a little questionable. And there are usually long lines with people cashing their checks on Fridays …

At least my husband’s ATM still worked so we could get some cash for the weekend, but we had no credit cards since we use joint accounts. D’oh!

And then on Sunday, the supermarket called. Somebody had turned in my change purse.

Everything was still inside. Sure all the credit cards were canceled. But the $5 was still there. And even better, the Visa Gift Card! Untouched, still wrapped in a receipt as I left it. I’m thankful that it was turned in! Too bad it was found after I canceled all my cards, but I had to do it. Better to be safe!

We have survived all week without our credit cards. I can’t believed how unsettling it’s been. Not that I usually buy a lot during the week, but I like to know I can!

Thankfully, the new Visa and ATM cards arrived today. The others will be here soon.

Ahh. I feel better now.

I guess there’s no denying it. I’m a grown-up.

I own a home. I’ve been married for almost nine years. And today, I turned 35.

This birthday is harder than 30 for sure.  My 20s are far behind me. I’m getting wrinkles (well, some of them have been there for a while). And I’m thinking that those light hairs I’ve been finding might be white rather than the blond I’d prefer them to be.

But it doesn’t have to be all downhill from here … right?

I’m certainly in better shape than I was 10 years ago. I have a better grasp on who I am. I’m eating better and exercising more.

I’m happy. I’m healthy. I have a husband who loves and supports me. I am surrounded by friends and family that are there for me.

I guess things are pretty good. I just wish I wasn’t so old!

I’m sure glad that’s over! Thirty days of blogging is no big deal. But 30 days of cleaning is pretty tough!

Actually, I only posted 28 cleanups. My family has been in town for a few days so I couldn’t work on any of my messes. But I’m getting close. I think I’m going to have to keep this going a little longer!

But not daily. I need a break!

I started my day with a five-mile run. I hurried home to shower because I has a lot to do!

After putting together a lasagna for dinner, I baked a dessert (so we didn’t only have leftover pie). We started snacking on cheese, crackers, chips and dip shortly before my brother and sister-in-law arrived with my six-month-old nephew.What a cutie!

We hung out, had an early dinner, and then opened Christmas presents. It was fun to celebrate early.

The little guy fell asleep and they packed him up and headed home. It wasn’t too late, but I was getting tired, too! I started dozing as we watched HGTV.

Nothing too eventful, but I had fun with my family.

Now, off to bed! I’m running early again!