What do you get when you mix working in a barn and running out of contact lenses?

The short story:

A very unattractive infected eye.

The long story:

A week ago I ran out of contact lenses. I called the optometrist and they said they would only order me new lenses if I came in for a re-check (since the prescription I’ve had for the last two years may have changed drastically since my last check), so instead they ordered me one pair of “trial” lenses, which would come in a week. Of course, the next day I put a tiny rip in the only pair of contacts I had. Since I work in a barn and ride about four crazy horses every day, glasses are not exactly the choice vision aid. So, I decided to wear my ripped contact until my new lenses came. Smart, I know. Two days ago, while tearing up at the end of “Requiem for a Dream,” I got a horrible pain in my eye followed by lots of swelling and more tears. I looked in the mirror and about passed out when I saw what it looked like! I made it to the Premier Immediate Medical Care center in Exton, PA (http://www.premierimc.com), and was diagnosed with a pretty bad eye infection. Awesome. Now I have to take antibiotics and I can’t wear my contacts for a week!