What about a notarized letter from GOD? Would that work??!
I went through all sorts of hell today attempting to claim my maiden name on various government documents. Also notable in this story is that both my license and my license plate were expired ( the license plate I just forgot, the license I was waiting to get done when I was moved and had my divorce papers so I could get all the changes made at once ).
First up was the good ol' DMV. Last week on the way to another errand I stopped by to find out what documents I needed to successfully change my last name on my license, and I was told "my old license and a copy of my final divorce papers". Alrighty then, I know exactly where those are! Score!
I went back today and the line was much longer; I waited about 30 minutes before approaching the counter. "Oh, I don't know if we can accept this, it's not certified". Umm, certified? WTF. The lady disappeared for a few minutes and came back with the news: "We can't accept this because it isn't certified". I came back with the logical response, "What do you mean, certified? It's notarized in two places by two people and it's my final set of divorce papers. I don't have any more, that's what they gave me when I left court."
Long story short, it's supposed to have some stamp meaning that it's "certified" and then I can get my new name. Fuck it. I don't care that much, I honestly don't. I mean, part of me sees it as a challenge and wants to raise hell until I get my way, but the other part realizes that, at this rate, I'll probably have to drive to Nashville, go to the courthouse wearing a red shirt, do six jumping jacks, stand on my head, say four Hail Marys, and do a magic trick before I can get this "certified" copy of my papers. So fuck it.
At the County Clerk's office, I had the most polite and helpful cashier. I brought in three proofs of address, my divorce papers, my old registration, and proof of insurance ( not all that was needed, of course, but I decided to bring everything I had, just in case ). She was so nice and it took only a couple of minutes to get my new stickers ( one to change the year and one to change the county from Davidson to Shelby ).
Next, at SunTrust, I changed my name and opened a savings account. I've been meaning to do this forever and just now got around to it. Everyone should have a savings account and get used to holing away some dough, even a poor waitress such as myself! I hope to put $100 a month in my account, but even if I can't, I'll make a habit out of putting something in there.
I have to see about getting into the University of Memphis this semester; I've officially made the decision to go back to school full time. I'm so scared and I feel so stupid for waiting so long, but I'm too smart to go to Southwest and get a 2-year degree. No offense to anyone who might be in a program there ( my mom got her EMT license there ), but I started out at the U of M seven ( SEVEN! ) years ago, and I'm still not done with school and I lowered my standards to Nashville State Community College because I didn't think I could get into/afford a college in Nashville. Well, that's over.
You know what else is over? Feeling like I'm "too old" to go back for a 4-year degree. It's the dumbest, worst excuse imaginable. I know people in their thirties, forties, fifties who are in school. There is NO reason I should hold myself back because of how long I've been out, and it's high time I got over the "I failed, I'm a failure, I don't want to try any more" mindset. I doom myself to failure over and over again with this type of thinking and it's time I quit doing that to myself.
First up was the good ol' DMV. Last week on the way to another errand I stopped by to find out what documents I needed to successfully change my last name on my license, and I was told "my old license and a copy of my final divorce papers". Alrighty then, I know exactly where those are! Score!
I went back today and the line was much longer; I waited about 30 minutes before approaching the counter. "Oh, I don't know if we can accept this, it's not certified". Umm, certified? WTF. The lady disappeared for a few minutes and came back with the news: "We can't accept this because it isn't certified". I came back with the logical response, "What do you mean, certified? It's notarized in two places by two people and it's my final set of divorce papers. I don't have any more, that's what they gave me when I left court."
Long story short, it's supposed to have some stamp meaning that it's "certified" and then I can get my new name. Fuck it. I don't care that much, I honestly don't. I mean, part of me sees it as a challenge and wants to raise hell until I get my way, but the other part realizes that, at this rate, I'll probably have to drive to Nashville, go to the courthouse wearing a red shirt, do six jumping jacks, stand on my head, say four Hail Marys, and do a magic trick before I can get this "certified" copy of my papers. So fuck it.
At the County Clerk's office, I had the most polite and helpful cashier. I brought in three proofs of address, my divorce papers, my old registration, and proof of insurance ( not all that was needed, of course, but I decided to bring everything I had, just in case ). She was so nice and it took only a couple of minutes to get my new stickers ( one to change the year and one to change the county from Davidson to Shelby ).
Next, at SunTrust, I changed my name and opened a savings account. I've been meaning to do this forever and just now got around to it. Everyone should have a savings account and get used to holing away some dough, even a poor waitress such as myself! I hope to put $100 a month in my account, but even if I can't, I'll make a habit out of putting something in there.
I have to see about getting into the University of Memphis this semester; I've officially made the decision to go back to school full time. I'm so scared and I feel so stupid for waiting so long, but I'm too smart to go to Southwest and get a 2-year degree. No offense to anyone who might be in a program there ( my mom got her EMT license there ), but I started out at the U of M seven ( SEVEN! ) years ago, and I'm still not done with school and I lowered my standards to Nashville State Community College because I didn't think I could get into/afford a college in Nashville. Well, that's over.
You know what else is over? Feeling like I'm "too old" to go back for a 4-year degree. It's the dumbest, worst excuse imaginable. I know people in their thirties, forties, fifties who are in school. There is NO reason I should hold myself back because of how long I've been out, and it's high time I got over the "I failed, I'm a failure, I don't want to try any more" mindset. I doom myself to failure over and over again with this type of thinking and it's time I quit doing that to myself.