LICENSE TABS

          It only took me more than nine months to realize I had been driving around illegally and could have been stopped at any point in time. It only took two months for me to realize I didn’t have up-to-date insurance information in my car.

          I’m sure I would have continued to drive around blissfully unaware I didn’t have my 2023 tags on my license plate. I could have done the same with the insurance information. The only reason I discovered I hadn’t renewed my tabs when they were due last December or printed out insurance information the beginning of July was because I cleaned out my car.

          Now, I didn’t have to clean out the glove compartment. I planned on just making sure Kuma’s hair was off the passenger seat, that his nose prints had been scrubbed off the side windows and that the various detritus had been vacuumed up off the floors. I got that done and since I plan on having my car detailed after the upcoming trip to the ocean where my friend and our two dogs will undoubtedly bring in lots of sand, I figured I might as well go whole hog and clean the debris out of the glove compartments as well. My detail place doesn’t want you to leave stuff in your car.

          In the envelop that holds the paperwork the police would want to see, I had numerous registrations and insurance papers. I went through those and took out all the expired ones. That was when I realized I didn’t have the latest paperwork. I couldn’t believe I had neglected to take care of this business.

          John always gave me my car registration as a Christmas gift. All I had to do was stick the tab on the license plate and the paperwork in the car. The first time I had to do it myself was 2019 and I barely made it to the license place to pick up the tabs and registration before it closed on December 31. The next two years I managed to take care of business in a timely manner. I don’t know what happened last December. I did find the renewal reminder in the glove box as well, so I guess I had planned on doing something with it.

          Anyway, I’m getting on a ferry at 9:35 am and am planning on getting to the license place at 9:00 am to pick up the tab that will be good for only three and a half months. Hopefully, I can dash in and out and stick the tab on the plate on the ferry. Not complaining though since I’ve managed to get through the entire year, so far, without having the police stop and ticket me. I’m hoping my good luck continues for another seventeen hours. Fingers crossed, prayers said, candles lit, Buddha’s belly rubbed.

          I’ve also put a note in my calendar for December…RENEW LICENSE TABS!!!...and, I’ve made it a recurring note that will continue until I no longer need a renewal. Can’t wait to hear what my kids have to say about this…actually, I can definitely wait.