Monday, July 23, 2007

Finally Mrs. Casey

Well, this afternoon, I finally became Mrs. Judi Casey, after 26 years of marriage. I thought I had changed my name 26 years ago, but this morning I found out that was not the case.
I went to renew my driver's license this morning, being expired for 6 months, I figured it was time. After waiting an hour in line, I was told by the clerk that the name for my ss# was my maiden name from 26 years ago- it had never been changed and that he, under no circumstance, sould issue me a new license unitl the situation was rectified.
Now, I clearly remember changing my name on that ss form and bringing in the marriage certificate 26 years ago, but apparently, the computer does not have the same memory. So, I have been living a lie all these years. Of course, the IRS was perfectly happy to take tax money from Judi Casey, who did not really exist. But now, with the new anti- terrorist laws in place, the MVA can not issue a license to anyone whose name on their license does not exactly agree with the name associated with their ss#. So off to the social security admin. office I marched and sat for yet another hour, after which I was told the the MVA was absolutely correct and I would have to produce our original marriage certificate to right this wrong. Now, I am not the most fastidious of record keepers, in fact anytime I have to find any paperwork, I end up with a bedroom full of strewn papers,old drawings, locks from first haircuts, old stamps, and various other sundry items- usually unearthing the needed paperwork after an hour or two of cursing and vowing to visit the Container Store soon. Today was no different, and the original marriage certificate was found sandwiched between Will's nursery school graduation certificate and Mike's birth certificate with imprints of the tiniest feet ever seen.
Back to the SS office, with marriage certificate in hand, I waited another hour, when the clerk finally called my number. Satisfied that the marriage certificate was original, he asked for identification- I handed him my driver's license which he promptly said he could not use because it was expired. I handed him an expired passport for yet an additional source of identification. He did not find it amusing. Finally, he accepted a health insurance card (which thankfully has NO expiration date on it) as proof that I am who I say I am. And I changed my name!!!! So, I am now officially Mrs. Judi Casey! I think I should register at Tiffany's all over again!
And I happily drove up to the MVA with proof of name change in hand, received a new license and can drive 90 miles an hour without trepidation.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

No More Bleary Eyed Mornings For Me!!!

Madeline passed her driving test, is licensed and now drives herself to 4:45 am practice! I am a happy woman!

Monday, July 09, 2007

A Sad Farewell to Shadow


We sadly bid farewell to Shadow, our beloved dog of 11 years. We picked up Shadow, an unwanted product of an illicit rendezvous between a prize winning Old English Sheepdog and a neighboring Black Lab, a year before I became pregnant with Mike and Tom. She became the twins' protector and never left their sides. She spent many years running beside them, up and down the court, as they rode thier bikes for hours on end. And she was the only member of our household that ever listened to me.
She will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Madeline's Garden




We are beginning to harvest tomatoes and have had a great harvest of green beans this year from Madeline's organic garden.
We also seem to be keeping the woodchucks happy and well fed.

Hummingbird Central


We have had a steady stream of hummingbirds to watch outside the family room door this summer, thanks to 3 mandevillas that must be very sweet.