The eye's don't have it

This past weekend, Lynda, Sarah, and I had eye exams. I was supposed to have mine a few weeks ago, but I had to reschedule to accommodate some child care duties.

So, we headed to Worthington to do all the eye measurements, prescription verification, and basic checkups that we go through every year.

My eyes have a long and sordid history of crapitude, which I might have mentioned before at this space. For many years as a kid I experienced double vision but I honestly didn't think that much about it. My brain managed to merge the images into one and I simply didn't think that much about it. But when I was about eighteen, my ability to manage the split images seemed to get worse and I wasn't able to cope with it well. So, I told mom and dad about it. After they got over their surprise, we went to Macon to see a specialist. He explained that my ability to compensate for the double vision had worsened as I had aged and so he suggested that we try surgery to reposition my right eye. (My right eye was the source of the problem, since it doesn't point straight ahead, thereby creating two angles of sight--hence the double images.) The doctor thought that by repositioning the muscles that move the eye, it might pull the right orb into the correct position.

It turned out to be a in-house type of surgery, something that didn't require hospitalization. It was literally done in the exam chair, with local anesthesia. It felt something like that creepy scene in Minority Report where Tom Cruise's character has his eyes replaced by the scuzzy Russian doctor. Of course, my experience was much more hygienic and safe, but looking back on it, it seems a bit off. Anyway, the surgery didn't work--which the doctor had warned was a likely possibility.

So, ever since then I've been managing the problem with a prism in my right glasses lens, which helps bend the light downward, cancelling the different angle of my eyeball. It isn't a perfect solution, but it has helped--though I still experience double vision, especially when I'm tired or stare at something for a long time.

So, anyway, that's one of my eye problems.

But on Saturday, I found out that I've got another one . . . a cataract is developing in my right eye. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens that sits behind the iris and focuses the light onto the retina. Naturally, it is not common for someone of my relative youth (35) to be developing cataracts, but it's me, right?

For now, the plan is to combat the gradual fuzzing of image quality (when it becomes noticeable, which isn't yet really) with more prescription adjustments and other mechanical means. It might be necessary some day down the road to resort to surgery, removal of the faulty lens and replacement with an artificial lens. It's a very common, very safe, and pretty simple surgery, so I'm not worried. Who knows when the time for that will come. It is likely years away, but it's coming.

But don't be surprised if my post's someday look like this.

More about the swingset

Lynda and I continued to work on the swingset this afternoon, but we didn't get it completed like I'd hoped.

By the way, the instructions claim that you can construct the entire structure and get all the doo-dads up and ready to play in three to six hours.

I estimate that I am at least on hour six by now, day two, and can only say that the entire main structure is built and connected together.
I STILL have to 1. build the climbing slope (which will go on the left side up to the deck), 2. attach the climbing net and other climbing wall (which are jutting out from the left side into the back or are attached to the back of the tower, 3. attach the slide, 4. connect all of the vertical slats that enclose the observation deck, 5. hang the swings, 6. build the canopy cover above the tower . . . and then it'll be done!

I figure that'll take me another three to six hours? I guess you have to be a master carpenter to get it done in the time allotted? While I (and Lynda) are certainly not that, we have stuck in there and made admirable progress. Yesterday's efforts were, admittedly hard, but I attribute a lot of that to the heat and humidity. It was a bit (just a bit) cooler today once the mornings rains left. I am hopeful that by next weekend, all will be finished and the kids will be playing their hearts out.

And, in case you wondered whether we know what we're doing, check THIS picture out!

The Swingset . . .

Well, I started work on the swingset project today.

I didn't think I would get a lot done since it was supposed to rain, but the bad weather held off nicely until it was getting dark and it was time for me to go in for dinner anyway.

But, I managed to construct the tower and the mid-level deck today, which I hope was the most complicated part of the project.

Here is the completed tower, in place where the old swingset used to be. Tomorrow I'll finish the side rails on the tower and start putting together the swing apparatus and the A-frame joist on the opposite side of the tower. Then there are all the accessories to attach like a steering wheel, a climbing net, a rock wall to put together, etc, etc.

And here is a fun video to give you a flavor of what I'm like when I'm struggling with drills and screws and 90+ degree weather with stifling humidity. (There is a bit of salty language here, so kids . . . "earmuffs!")

Dylan wants you to!

(Of course, Bob Dylan cares nothing about WWYG?! But, that won't stop him from promoting me!)

Labor(ing) Day

My Labor Day weekend was a social one.

I threw a bit of a party for some lucky coworkers and friends on Saturday. We stayed outside almost exclusively and greatly enjoyed a large amount of fine food and wonderful breezy, sunny weather. The girls were, as always, excellently behaved and my party goers were kindly indulgent to their desire to show off and be a part of the fun.

On Sunday, we were unexpectedly invited to a church friend's house for another cookout and spent another day hanging out in a backyard, enjoyed grilled food while the kids played. Good times indeed.

Yesterday, we decided to buy a fancy wooden swingset/playset to replace our 1970s era swingset that we inherited with the house. In order to save $450 we (rashly?) decided that we (I, to be clear) would be able to put this thing together. Please note that we bought the one where all the wood was precut. If I had to do the precise cutting beforehand, we would NOT have considered the option of self-assembly.

So, after three trips to Andersons--one to purchase and realize we didn't have enough room in the back of our stationwagon, one to bring home the three boxes of wood and doo-dads, and one to bring home nine 4 x 8 posts--we spend the rest of the afternoon dismantling the old swingset and taking it's disassembled carcass to the curb. (We discovered this morning that scavengers came by in the night and took all the tubes and the swings, and I say bravo. I'd rather someone use it than have it pile up on a garbage heap.)

So, now I need to start measuring, drilling, and assembling the new play set. Don't worry. I'll keep you all posted on my progress--with pictures, but probably not with audio, since you don't need to be subjected to the cursing that is certain to occur.