breaking the law

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I have mentioned before that I am a rule-follower.

That typically means law-abiding as well.

So you can imagine my horror when last week, on my birthday, my new driver’s license had not yet arrived. The old one expired on my birthday.

I had mailed in the “renew by mail” form, but I suspected I probably didn’t give it enough time. The paper form didn’t specify a time frame, but their Web site said to allow 15 days. Of course, I didn’t check the Web site until I started to get concerned. I think I mailed it 11 days before I needed it, counting the weekends.

I worked from home on my birthday since I had a few appointments during the day, and stopped by the MVA* to check on the license situation.

They told me it had been mailed on March 26. Usually, in-state mail gets delivered in a day, two at the most. It had only been three days, and the woman who looked up my record convinced me I should hold out for a few more days.

She saw I had a clean driving record, and doubted a cop would give me a ticket for a barely-expired license.

Since I have only ever been pulled over twice, both times over ten years ago when I was a college student, I figured I’d probably be OK. Had I decided to get a duplicate license, I’d have to pay another $30, and I figured it’d likely come the next day anyway.

Friday on the way to and from work, I was well aware that my license was no longer valid. And in the mailbox that evening?

No license.

Over the weekend, I was only driving around town so I wasn’t too concerned. Still, nothing came on Saturday.

During Monday’s commute (despite being on autopilot), I was still well aware of my odometer. I was beginning to ponder how long I should hold out before returning to the MVA, and how I would fit it into my schedule.

Thankfully, a trip to the MVA is not necessary. I am now a legal driver again.

Phew!

*MVA = Motor Vehicle Administration, which is Maryland’s version of every other state’s DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). Not sure how long I have to live in this state for this to seem normal!

autopilot

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During the week, I carpool with my husband. He works in DC, and the Metro isn’t far from my office so I drop him off.

This morning, he didn’t go into the office. I was driving along, singing to the music … but not really paying attention to where I was. I realized what I was doing at the last minute, with just enough time to switch lanes and exit the highway.

On the way home, unfortunately, I didn’t remember not to go to the Metro until after I had already gotten on the exit ramp. And know I was thinking about how I didn’t have to get him when I walked out a few minutes later than usual.

Doh!

I’m a creature of habit …

32

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March 29, 1975, a tiny baby was born.

She was an Aries, but her baby book says “Star Child of Gemini.” The book had been purchased in advance; she was two months premature.

Seventeen inches long, three pounds, nine ounces.

This picture was taken at about two weeks old, still under four pounds. She left the hospital May 1 at four pounds, 15 ounces.

This baby is me.

I’m sure it must have been really scary for my parents. I was their first child. Though, as far as I know, there weren’t any major health issues other than that I was so small.

Now that I’m “old,” birthdays really aren’t that meaningful; they are just another day.

But I am still reminded of how precarious my life began, and how grateful I am that I have always been healthy.

Happy birthday to me!

this is gross, but i still find it fascinating

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I’ve been feeling somewhat uninspired lately … and sometimes I’m coming up with ideas to write about and then promptly forgetting them.

Last night, unfortunately, I was “inspired” at a most inopportune time.

While cleaning out the litter boxes.

My “twins” Jeter and Posey have their own room — a storage area behind the spare bathroom — where we keep their food and two litter boxes.

(Joey, the baby, and Posey don’t get along, so we have to separate them a good portion of the time.)

Anyway, I’m not sure when this happened, but at some point the litter box on the left became the pee box, with the poo box on the right.

There are always a few stray “deposits” in the wrong box every cleaning, but for the most parts, the cats seem to be in agreement on where to do their business.

It’s like they discussed it and decided it would be more efficient this way …

I typically don’t watch them (they deserve their privacy!), but occasionally one of them will come in there when I’m cleaning. I have seen Posey go from one box to the other.

It’s kind of baffling.

twenty-two miles in the rain

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For our penultimate long run before the marathon, we returned to a trail we ran last month.

Underneath a light dusting of snow, the trail seemed smooth and flat. Now with the snow melted (and rain spritzing for the first nine or so miles), we discovered areas of ruts from bike tires, divots from horseshoes, and mud puddles that we had to zigzag around.

Some of it was smooth and flat, but the “stone dust surface” is packed pretty hard, making very different than the asphalt we’re used to.

Still, my left knee held out and I was able to run the whole 22 miles. I’ve been wearing a knee brace recommended by a sports doctor I saw last week — I finally got it checked out (since it’s been bothering me sporadically for over a year), to make sure I could keep running on it.

Unfortunately, the other knee started hurting!

I think my right knee wants a brace too. One of my friends has also had lots of knee trouble, and despite having straps on both knees had an extra strap on her. Once I put that on, the pain got a bit better and I was able to finish.

Or maybe the ibuprofen I took a few miles back kicked in. A little of both?

It was slow (we’re partially blaming the puddle-jumping), but we did it.

And then we got burritos and wine, and soaked in my friend’s hot tub.

We earned it!