Smack Goes The Life Lemon
Nothing like starting off the new year by being hit with a life lemon!
I was driving out of town, just coming off the highway when the dreaded flashing lights appeared in my rear view mirror.
Good golly Miss Molly…what the hell?? I just left the stoplight so I couldn’t have been speeding?
So I signal, pull over and wait, what seemed like a week and a half, for the cop to come visit me in my car.
He comes to the passenger side, which is great, so I don’t have to turn and look up to my left and have my vertigo act up…cause that would be another whole pail of lemons to deal with.
Now I’m really wondering what is going on as he AND his partner are standing there. Which has just set off my anxiety meter to high.
I put the window down and said, “Hi, how are you?” in my most smiling friendly, I’m a good person voice.
He smiled back, said he was fine, and asked if I had my driver’s license?
Since he took forever to get to my car, I had all my papers out and ready. (I also had time to rewrite my will, as I figured my anxiety would likely lead to a heart attack.)
“Oh of course here”, and I held up my papers like I was offering up a sacrifice to the police gods.
He said, “No I just want you to read something on the front.”
I looked puzzled for sure, but read out loud where he pointed.
My jaw dropped, I looked up at him and said, “Oh my gawd!” I could feel the colour drain from my face and I could hear my heart saying, “It’s been good knowing you, I’m done!”
My driver’s license was expired…for almost a year!
He said smiling, “Notifications are no longer sent out about renewals.”
I just sat there with my jaw flapping. I was stunned.
So then he said, “Do you have a cell phone?” In my head I’m thinking…(Do I look that old, that I wouldn’t have one? Oh this is getting worse).
“Yes”
“Do you have a credit card?” (I must look poor as well).
“Yes”
Then he gave me this long list of 310 instructions for renewing my license online, said honk when you are finished, and I’ll come back to review it. And they both walked back to their cruiser.
Now…this is where the anxiety took over, you sweat like you just ran a marathon, your heart beats so loud you hear your blood pumping in your veins, you feel your head is about to explode and you want to puke.
I tried to remember the instructions but my head wasn’t working, them my cheap ass cell service went blank on my phone, which matched my mind perfectly!
So I honked thinking he would come back, but that didn’t work.
So I wait.
At this point the anxiety had subsided and I went into pissy the hell with it mode.
I turned off my car and waited for them.
Eventually it will get dark and they will want to go home.
I guess if I had slumped over and played dead they would have come back sooner…
The young woman partner comes to my door…”Is there a problem?”
“Yes, I had an anxiety attack and got lost on the website!”
At this point I’m playing the helpless old lady card really hard. (Actually it wasn’t really an act.)
“I only use my phone for texting and taking pictures, I don’t do online stuff on it!”
I’m sure she felt like she was dealing with her decrepit old grandmother.
“That’s ok, I’ll help you.” She was so sweet.
So she helped me through it step by step, I got my license renewed and got the ok from the other partner.
He handed me the ticket and I said, “Well that’s a mistake I won’t make again…lol Thanks for your patience.”
He chuckled and said, “Have a good day!”
Of course I replied, “You too.”
And I was on my way again….a week and a half later. Somewhat poorer, but lesson learned.
Life Experience Wisdom
* Keep on top of all the little annoying adulting things we have to do in our lives.
* I think I need to start each day at my desk by saying…
“What do I need to remember, check or tend to today!”
So that was the start of my Jan 2024. I hope yours started off better! Lol
Thanks for stopping by, I’m off to write a big cheque…lol
Cheers til next week!
Grace
My Motto
When life throws baseball size lemons at you, that smack you upside the head, stomp on those damn things and make yourself a cocktail!