Success #2

I got my Texas driver's licence today. Well, I have the temporary one and the real one will come in 2 or 3 weeks. It took two tries to get it. This morning I loaded up Kate in the stroller, we dropped Westley off at Chui's (his best friend) house and headed downtown. It was about an hour's walk to the office. There was only a very brief wait and then I laid out all my carefully checked documents. The lady told me I was missing one - proof of vehicle registration. I had proof of insurance, but not registration. I needed both. I told the woman that I had walked and that I didn't have my car with me, so I couldn't just go grab the registration. She was insistent that I needed it. Sigh.

We walked the hour back home (with a stop on campus to see Graeme) had lunch and then loaded into the car and headed back down there. Once again, no wait and this time I had everything in order. At least it's finally done. Only three years late, but done.

Success #1

Today Kate and I went to the Social Security office to get a replacement card for me. I need one because my New Mexico driver's licence is going to expire in less than a month and you need proof of a SSN to get a Texas licence. So, off we went armed with tales of three hour waits. Knowing we could be there awhile, I was ready. I had water and snacks for me, toys, clothes and diapers for Kate, and my knitting. Kate nursed when we got there, then was fussy for awhile until she fell asleep. It was then that the miraculous occurred. She stayed asleep when I transferred her to her car seat. I was able to knit while she slept. Knitting, it turns out, is the perfect activity for waiting. It's better than reading, since there was lots of noise and conversations around which would be a distraction from reading. The wait ended up being 1.5 hours, which if you're ready for 3, isn't so bad.

Next: driver's licence office.