Heat Wave

It has been very hot and humid here the past few days. The simple act of breathing is enough to cause one to break out in a sweat! So not much has been happening here, as I have been in a heat-induced trance since Monday.

Took the Jeep for an oil change and since it was nearby, thought we would take our chances at NJ Motor Vehicles to get it inspected. No sane person would want to sit in a hot car on a 100 degree day to wait on an inspection line, so naturally, that is what we opted to do.

We pulled up to the inspection station, and lo and behold, for the first time in all my years of driving, NO ONE ELSE WAS THERE! Except of course for the employees and they all looked like they had passed out from the heat.

In New Jersey, one must leave their vehicle with a technician and wait near the exit in a booth. You watch as various tests are performed to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy enough to travel on the treacherous highways and byways of the Garden State. When they are finished, they drive it to the exit where you are waiting and then the big moment arrives.

You watch with anticipation as the technician scrapes away the old inspection sticker and slowly peels the backing from the new one. Will it be the dreaded red REJECTION sticker or will you pass?

Yay-it's a green sticker with a big number "7" in the middle! "Jeep-Jeep" has passed and is good to go for the next two years! We applaud our victorious vehicle as it crosses the "finish line". The technician eyes us warily, then laughs, as he knows the intense heat does do strange things to people.

We stop by a little flea market on the way home but buy nothing. It's just too stifling to be outside. I do admire the brave souls who are out there hawking their wares in this weather.

So, just where do the citizens of New Jersey go in this heat? Are they at the beach? Perhaps many are, but we found out there is another popular destination-they are at Wal-Mart!

Yes, that was our big road trip for today, a visit to our local Wal-Mart. Just picked up a few needed items, no fabulous bargains to report. We then headed home and had a little cookout before the rain arrived.

So hopefully this heat wave will end soon. I would really like to take a long drive somewhere. Maybe visit a Wal-Mart in another county or perhaps one near the shore? I'll keep you posted on our exciting adventures in the Garden State. Who knows, we may even cross the state border!

Hail To The Chief

Bushisms- Not A Tree


Well, guess who is visiting my neck of the woods as I type this tonight? Why it's none other than our commander-n-chief, George W. Bush. Yes, Mr. President is now appearing at a fundraiser in Edison. NJ, which is the town I grew up in and also where I work. Fortunately, I was able to get home before his motorcade came through, as security was pretty tight in the area and some of the roads I travel on were temporarily closed.



Bushisms- Good Question


Sadly, I won't be attending this exciting event since ticket prices start at $300 to $5,000 if you want a "photo opportunity" with the president. Wow-that would have made a great show and tell for this Friday!



Those who Enter Our Country Illegally

So, I'll just have to make do with these funny pictures of him featuring some of his famous "Bushisms". No, it's not the same as being there in person, but it is more budget friendly. Besides, that $300 could buy me a tank of gas.

Welcome To The NJ MVC-Now Give Us Your First Born!

Greetings from New Jersey

Living in New Jersey does have its advantages. I live near New York City. The Jersey Shore is not far away, as well as Pennsylvania. My state is loaded with historical sites, beautiful parks, and many other interesting things to see and do. For such a small state it really has it all, maybe a bit too much. But in order to get to most of these places you will need to drive there, since our mass transit system is kind of so-so. And that means having a car and a NJ driver's license if you reside here. And that means the dreaded trip to the NJ MVC (Motor Vehicle Commission).

Since New Jersey seems to be a breeding ground for terrorists, we have very strict guidelines on obtaining a driver's license. You really need to show PROOF that you are who you are. I have lived in this state my entire life and have been a licensed driver for over thirty years. I also have a professional license which I had to be fingerprinted for, but that is still not proof enough for the NJ MVC that I really am who I am.

I had to show my birth certificate, which there were problems with because I was born in a particular county where there were security issues in the records department. In other words, an employee there had been selling other people's birth certificates to illegal immigrants. After a phone call to the state capital and 24 hours later, the DMV clerk was satisfied that I was Lynne D.

You also need to show other items such as pay stubs, bank statements, health insurance ID cards, bills, or something of the sort which has your name and address on it.

Oh and if you are a married woman and you have taken your husband's last name, please remember to bring your marriage license (only originals or certified copies please).

And if you have been married and divorced, you must also provide the divorce decree if your name has changed.

So tonight I'm gathering my life history together so I can enjoy four more wonderful years of driving in the Garden State.

And to tell you the truth, I'm hoping to move out of here before I need to renew it again.

By the way, my husband who was not born here and is not a US citizen had no problem getting his licensed renewed last month.

So tomorrow, I face my judgement day at the NJ MVC. Will I be granted the privilege to drive another another four years or will I need further proof of my existence?

I don't know what else to show them. I was born in NJ. I have lived my entire life here, and chances are, I'll probably die here, quite possibly waiting on line at the NJ MVC.

And maybe when the coroner comes and attaches that ID tag to my big toe, that will be good enough proof that I am Lynne D, and I will be issued my driver's license.

Wish me luck tomorrow.

Not much happening here tonight. It's been raining where I live for most of the afternoon and evening while the southern part of NJ is burning. Thankfully that's not happening up here, for there are several refineries in the area and we would be blown off the map!
So it's just a short little post this evening, I'm praying that this fire is soon brought under control and I'm also praying for the residents, rescue workers, and the wildlife affected by this fire. God bless.