We made it!

Yesterday was Zack's appointment to take his driving test. (1:45pm)

In the morning, we picked up this month's AngelFood order. We had Zack drive there and back just to 'warm up' a little.

When we got home, I squeezed the groceries into the freezer and then Zack wanted to head to the testing station early to make sure we had all the paperwork required and spend a little more time driving the course.

We got there and got another copy of the list of paperwork needed. The same list that was on the appointment reminder I printed from the web scheduler. Out to drive the streets and somehow, we ended up in an area I was not very familiar with.

And then I looked down at the list of paperwork again. This time I noticed that the 50 hour affadavit was supposed to be notarized!! Oh no!! Quick, to a bank for their notary. We went to the one in the grocery store since we have accounts with them.

She's not in today. Did I want her to call down to the bank-mart across from home? 'Don't have time.'

To the bank located out in the shopping center parking lot.

Nope. She's off today also.

Where else can we go? They suggested the bank in Walmart and gave directions to get there.

I'm really getting worried at this point that I've ruined Zack's big day.

Into Walmart and to the bank. Notary?? Please!?!??!

Yes, but.... Her renewal isn't in yet so she can't help. 'But DMV has one.'

What?!?!? That's what we're trying to get this done for!! Why didn't the others tell us that when we explained what we were trying to do?

Now, how do we get there from here? Left at the light out of the lot, then left on 48. Sounded easy enough.

We headed back to the entrance/exit we came in at. No light and no left turns allowed. Quick, turn through that other lot and back toward Walmart. We managed to find a different exit that had a light! (Hopefully the right one.) Took a left and were able to see the next intersection and it was 48! We're on the right track. It is now about 1 and we were supposed to arrive 15 minutes early for his 1:45 appointment. There should be enough time to get it done before his test.

I pulled out the driver's book and found the phone number to the testing station. Do you really have a notary?!?! No, but the license office next door does. And they are open till 2.

Yes, we should be able to make it! And it was closer than I thought. Soon we were there.

Into the lot and pick a spot. Zack and I were't quite communicating so it didn't quite look like he'd done much driving at all when we pulled through the lot and passed the various examiners heading in and out to the cars.

We picked a spot and he backed in so he wouldn't have to potentially back out into traffic with the examiner.

To the licence office and get the form notarized and we find out that the testing department doesn't even check it. It's checked afterwards at the license office when you actually get your license.

What time is your appointment, they asked. 1:45. Well, hopefully, you'll be done and able to get back here before we close....

Ugh!

It's now about 1:10 so we have plenty of time to sit and wait. We check in and settle in for the long haul.

1:15 and Zack is called!! Out they go and I start climbing the walls.

At about 1:30, he comes back in, following the examiner. 'Mr. Eyeore' isn't showing much. Did he pass or not?!?!?

Then he cracks a small smile!!

We collected the papers and read the letter to parents and headed back next door to the license office. We check in and sit down to wait again. A few minutes and we're called. It's looking like we'll make it before closing and then some.

Then the license machine goes down. And they are fighting with it, and making calls, and threatening the sledge hammer, and...

Then they start turning people away saying they didn't think they's get it up and running again before they closed. Some asked if they could take their papers to another office or if they had to process them at that location. They could take them elsewhere but the other offices close either at 2 (only a few minutes away) or they closed at noon.

More waiting and sweating.

Then they get the machine working again!

The first person waiting to have his picture taken does, and then it goes south again. Turns out his license is suspended so they can't actually renew it till after it expires. He's not happy and there is yelling back and forth across the office. Eventually he leaves.

Now it is after 2 and they're supposed to be closed. What about the rest of us? They kept working!

Zack has his license!!

I have left a message with the insurance company to find out how much more money I have to send them.

And Zack took his first drive all by himself today. He didn't like wearing my sunglasses when he drove and wanted a $13 pair the other day. Ace Hardware had sent a flyer advertising assorted sunglasses for 99 cents. Today was the last day of the sale. He drove across the street to Ace and also to pick up a paper at the grocery store for me.

Steve laughed at me when I took note of what time Zack left so I would have an idea of when he should be back. I watched him pull out of the driveway. I had asked him about calling me when he got there but it turns out he forgot his phone.

I kept myself busy so I wouldn't climb the walls too much.

And before I knew it he was back!!

Tomorrow, Brian has weight lifting at school and Zack wants to get a parking permit for school so they will be out on the road again. I'll have to make sure they have their phones with them...