The DMV

Every January my car likes to get into the fun and frivolity of The Festival of The Peg and get a new sticker for it's license tag.  Of course, being a very indulgent car owner (and law-abiding citizen) I happily comply and make my annual trip to the DMV. 

This year I was not looking forward to the trip not only because of all of the horrors stories I have heard about the residents of Jefferson County (where I live) waiting in line for hours on end to renew their license tags but also due to my Mom having purchased a new car and having to go through the "new car" hassles associated with the car license tag process.  I just knew the process this year had the potential to turn into an all-day event.

However, my Mom and I love to plan.  We plan out simple meals, multiple errands and trips to fascinating places.   I sometimes think that we get more enjoyment out of the actual planning than the events itself.  Our annual trip to the DMV was no exception.  We planned to pack snacks, time our journey to minimize the wait time and hope that our tasks would be completed in time to enjoy a nice lunch out somewhere.

To ensure my trip was not a stressful one, I even submitted paperwork to take a personal day off from work.  I didn't want to have to worry about getting to work late since I knew the trip held the promise of eating up the whole day.  When I explained to KWB (my Head of School) why I was requesting the personal day she remarked that she felt bad that I would spend my day in line trying to renew my car tag.  She remarked that she wished I was taking my personal day to go treat myself to a spa day because as she put it "you deserve it."  And I will admit - I agreed with her.  I would choose a spa day over any day spent waiting in line to do government related business.

The morning of our "DMV Adventure" came and it was full of overcast, dark clouds, rain and a chill in the air (that secretly made me hope it would turn into snow).  We set out on our journey but instead of going to the downtown Jefferson County Courthouse we ventured off to the Bessemer Courthouse.  We had never been to this courthouse before so we were entering into unfamiliar territory.

After finding the courthouse we also had to circle the block a few times in order to find a close enough parking space so we wouldn't be walking in the rain for several blocks.  The first spot Mom spotted was perfect but it was in front of the Bessemer Courthouse that is not being used due to budget cuts in Jefferson County.  The second spot she found was just as good until we realized that our front door parking space had allowed a very quick entry into the Sheriff's Department and Prison area.  We quickly made our exit and got back in the car and began another trip around the courthouse area.  

Our third and final parking spot was directly in front of the Bessemer Police Department and right across the street from the entrance to the Bessemer Courthouse that is still being used.  It was a "Score!" even though it was a third attempt score!  We made our way into the Courthouse and Mom got to experience her first trip through a metal detector with her "new knee."  But the lovely courthouse officer manning the metal detector decided it must have been the metal snap on her jeans that set off the buzzer and let her through so she didn't even get to flash her "I've got a new knee!" card.

After all of this our wait began for the tag renewal process.  Luckily, the Revenue Department had stationed someone at the first of the roped off wait line and she checked all of Mom's paperwork to make sure she had all that she needed.  Mom did indeed have everything and she got to proceed (Kudos to Sylacauga Serra Honda for covering all of their paperwork basis before she left the car dealership back in December!) and join the masses who were waiting to renew their car tags.

Once we finished our task at hand - I only had to dig into the snacks one time - Mom and I headed home for our lunch instead of going out somewhere.  On the way home I mentioned to Mom about KWB's comment about the spa.  We both looked at each other and I pulled out my phone.  Since I keep my favorite local spa (Ross Bridge Renaissance Resort and Spa) on speed dial, I called them up and asked if they had any availability.  They did so I booked the Mom and myself for that very afternoon.

Now, like any red-blooded, law-abiding American Citizen, I was more than happy to do my civic duty and renew my car's license tag.  After all, it wouldn't be The Festival of The Peg without that new sticker on my car. 

And like any red-blooded, law-abiding American Woman, who is also a good employee, I was more than happy to take my employer's suggestion and spend the rest of my day relaxing in a whirlpool, giving my pores a good work-out in a steam room and getting a wonderful Swedish custom massage.  I'm just hoping KWB marks me as "Exceeding Expectations" on the "takes direction well" line of my annual evaluation.