Hi Laura. Thanks so much. I thought it over, and just buying a membership and then getting a refund once I have my glasses seems the best way to go. The gift card trick would have made sense with someone local to do it, but by mail just adds to the time I spend not being able to read for more than five minutes a time.

Oh and Hillary, I have fairly strong cylinders to correct my astigmatism. And I'm still getting two pair of glasses for $63 at Costco with polycarbonate. High index would be higher but nothing like $400. You might call Cosctco to see what it would cost to get your glasses there. For people with strong corrections, it is less expensive than on-line and also can handle prescriptions most on-line places can't . I don't know about quality, but it seems like every place has complaints and overall I see more good ratings for Costco optical than bad ones. (BTW - with no discounts my glasses would cost $44 each - could always get them at that price. Right now Cosco offers $25 off on the second pair which is why it is $63 for 2 pair. I'll bet $25 off second pair is not the best deal they'll offer this year, so it might be worth the phonecall to find out if Costco works for you, while still delaying actual purchase until your next regular eye exam. Again I don't know what the limits are on which prescriptions Costco can fill, but even if there are no Costcos near you, it would not hurt to make a phone call to find out if you can take a zero off your glasses price. Thanks again to everyone who suggested Costco. Simple googling is pretty tough for me right now, so I kind of have to rely on advice for this kind of thing. I'm glad I learned to touch type before computer came around, - this is not too bad for literally typing with my eyes clsoed and then doing a quick check afterwords.

I will look into Costco. I've gotten glasses in a whole lot of different places, and never paid less than $200 just for the lenses. Part of it is that I've got a pretty strong prescription, so I have to get the special thin lenses to avoid them being like half an inch thick. (I'm at about -3.75 in one eye, and -4.50 in the other.)

I just walked into the math building carrying a Larabar and a bag of potato chips. A coworker saw me and said, "Is that what you're having for lunch, girl? Shame on you! You need some healthy food in you!" I was in a bad mood already. This did not improve it.

Part of it is that I've got a pretty strong prescription, so I have to get the special thin lenses to avoid them being like half an inch thick. (I'm at about -3.75 in one eye, and -4.50 in the other.

Hahahah! I laugh at your puny prescriptions! Nah, after my surgery I don't really need glasses, but bought several pairs at Zenni just because I COULD, for the first time--and even do the cheap ones! Previously I was at a -13 with astigmatism. :(

1. Nosy bitch.
2. Larabar is healthy food, dammit.

Nosy bitch.

It was a guy, actually.

Same difference.

My sister got us a Costco membership for Xmas. (She gave it to us early.) I am ridiculously excited about it.

Still a bitch.

I'm watching Peter Pan. It's terrible, but snarking is fun.

I saw one comment I loved: Allison Williams was good but not great. Christopher Walken was great but not good.

Not Strixy or her sister on the bitch comment.

Well... not THAT kind of bitch.