Not much going on here at the Cottage these days, but I did get a few things accomplished this morning.  After a restless night, I awoke fairly early and began my day.  The first thing on my agenda was a trip to the DMV in town to get my card for handicapped parking renewed.

More often than not, we seem to complain about things we have to do related to government programs or to dealing with the government in just about every way--long lines, fees, rudeness, and so forth.  Today, my friends, I have a different story.

When I arrived at the DMV office, there were several cars already in the lot, and one was arriving right before me.  I figured I'd have a rather long wait, but I was wrong.  The first thing I noticed in the office was how clean it was.  So often, these offices are less than tidy and usually strewn with papers all over the floor.  Not this one--

For many of the last years that I had to get my license renewed or whatever, I went to the DMV in Lafourche Parish.  The lines were usually VERY LONG, and, in fact, they had begun a system whereby they guaranteed a wait of no longer than 15-30 minutes.  That rarely happened, but at least they were trying. 

There was usually lots of noise, people in there with babies who were naturally uncomfortable and sometimes crabby, and again, the long lines. The floors were usually dirty-looking and had papers all over them.  People bought drinks outside and brought them inside, leaving the empty (or almost empty) cans/bottles wherever they finished with them.  It was not a pleasant place in which to spend an afternoon or morning.

Here in New Roads, the waiting room was well-lit, neat, and clean.  There was one of those "ticket machines" where we got our number to indicate our turn.  I never had to use mine.  The people who renewed the licenses were able to see into the waiting room and just called out "Next" when they were done with their customer.  Even though there were people in the license-renewal room and a couple in the waiting room besides me, I waited barely ten minutes to see the lady.

Pleasant personality, polite, kind, appreciative--these are all words I can use to describe her.  I complimented her--and the others--on how quickly they were working, and she thanked me several times for telling her that.  As I said earlier, we more often than not complain, rather than compliment, so I'm sure she took note of the compliment.

From the time I left the Cottage to the time I was on my way back was less than 30 minutes--such a difference from my usual license-renewal experiences.  And getting a card AND a new ID to go along with it costs only $3.  Can you believe that?

After finishing that, I went to the store to pick up a couple of items that we needed so I could prepare supper tonight--pork chop dish.  I must say, it was pretty good, and Sid will have some to bring to school for his lunch tomorrow.

I got a call from my brother today to let me know how his appointment with his doctor went.  Unfortunately, the news wasn't very good.  He has fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, so he is pretty much in constant pain.  Now, he has been told that he has spinal arthritis and the compression of a couple of disks in his back.  Nothing has been planned with regard to procedures, but please say some prayers that these problems do not progress too quickly.  We can be thankful that none of his problems are terminal, so that's a good thing.  I love you, Kiddo!

That's it for tonight!  Have a great week and enjoy the cooler temperatures--if, in fact, they actually get here.  LOL

HEARTFELT BLESSING:  "Fear less, cherish more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, listen more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours."    --Old Swedish Proverb

NOTE:  Paying more attention to the things we want and less to what we don't makes our lives much more enjoyable.  The way life is designed--more or less--gives us control of our destiny through every more or less choice we make.  REMEMBER:  The choice is always yours!