An Act of Congress

Oh what a day...

As I told you all earlier in the week, two major things on my agenda for spring break were to get a social security card with my new name on it and new driver's license.  Monday morning I went to Social Security almost right when they opened and didn't have to wait too long.  I had everything there with me, driver's license, marriage license, current SS card, and whatever else was needed.  It didn't take long at all for me to get the ball rolling and was told that my new card would be here within two weeks.  I told the lady that I wanted to get a new driver's license and asked if there was anything I needed from them to do this.  She told me no, all I needed to do was wait 24 hours and my new name would be in the system ready to go.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Wrong.

Tuesday I ran to Memphis for the day for an appointment and to spend the day with my mom.  I drove there and back Tuesday so Chad and I couldn't get to the DMV yesterday.  We decided we would around lunch time today that way we could both wait and both get it done.  Chad and I pulled in to the DMV at 12:30 and went in, even though there was a line to the door.  We knew it would probably take a long time, but this is something that I have to get done and breaks are really my only chance.  When it was our turn to go, forty-five minutes later, I told the lady  that we needed new licenses and that we had moved here from out of state.  She told me there were a few things we needed in order to do this:

- A driver's license.  Check. 
- A lease or mortage.  Check.   
- Our old licenses.  Check. 
- Our social security cards. Check.
 
I told her I had my current one, but had applied for a new one Monday and was told it would show up in the system within 24 hours for me to get a license.  I told her I had asked them for any paperwork needed proving this and that the DMV would need and was told no.  The  DMV lady asked if we had gotten married recently and if that was why I was changing my name and said that I had to go back to Social Security and get a printout and come back.  Chad and I just looked at each other like "are you kidding me??"  I don't think the air was on in this place, it was crowded, people hovered over you, some were wearing flannel pajama pants with houseshoes, and some brought their entire family.  This is a family affair.

By now it was 1:15 and we left the DMV and headed to Social Security.  I explained to the police officer at SS why I was there and what had happened.  He knew exactly what I needed and told me what to ask for.  Thirty minutes LATER when my number is called, I finally got a printout to take BACK to the DMV.  Chad and I decided that we should take a lunch break before we go back and stand in a line with no air and a big crowd.  This will also give us a chance to fill out the paperwork from the DMV.  With a little more energy now and possibly more patience, we head back.  This time, there is NO LINE!  Yippee! 

The lady remembered us and I gave her all of the paperwork.  She started on mine and then looks up and asked me, "Where is your marriage license?"  I said, "at home."  She asked me earlier if we had recently gotten married and NEVER mentioned needing that!!  She told me I needed to go home and get it and she would be working on Chad's paperwork while I was gone.  So, I head home for our marriage license and I asked her twice if there was anything else I might need. 

Thirty-five minutes later I pulled back in to the DMV and ran back in there.  Thankfully, there was not a line this time either.  This time they do have two people working, but NO LINE.  They needed that person two hours ago and I would've liked to have told them that, but anyway back to the story.  Chad had text me while I was gone and told me to bring my glasses, so I did have those luckily.  As I go up to the counter and the lady re-starts my paperwork, I asked Chad if he was able to get his taken care of.  NO.  He only had one contact in that day and failed the vision test so he could not get his license.  Really????  After all of this!!!!  I didn't know whether to laugh, scream, or cry.  At this point, it is just getting ridiculous.

I put my glasses on for the vision test and pass and went back to stand in line.  I thought to myself, if I fail the vision test, I will just keep my TN license and forget this!  The door keeps opening and they are starting to get a crowd again.  Instead of people stopping at a marked spot (that isn't there, but should be and I would like to recommend that also!), the couple behind me stands, literally on my heels.  I still have to get information to the lady and I have this couple hovering me and remember there is NO AIR.  I kept looking at Chad, pretty annoyed with the crowd,  the heat, and people at my heels, when finally the lady is finished with my paperwork and I can get my picture made.  I then went back to the "waiting zone", standing by the door that is, and wait for my name to be called.  This fortunately, is the fastest part of the whole process.

If anyone else is need of a new license from out of state, be prepared... it is an act of Congress.

To you, my new fellow Mississipians, I hope Starkville treats me as well as Memphis has after three trips, three and a half hours, and a day of my spring break to become a local citizen.  Please Starkville, make us proud.