Thursday, July 24, 2008

What a week!

Ok, so this is a long story, because it lasted 4 days- but well worth the read if you need some entertainment!
So it all started on Monday, when Brian went to get a new license because his had expired. He came home to tell me that he first has to get his car inspected, registered, get a Texas tag, and then he can get his license. He informed me that I also had to do this, because if not we could both be fined for having a Texas address longer that 30 days without changing over our info. So, the next day we went to get the cars inspected. We pulled up and our insurance had expired and they hadn't sent new cards yet, so of course they wouldn't inspect the cars. We went to get new insurance cards and they informed us that the home office was backed up and it could be a few more weeks until we get our insurance cards. So, they were kind enough to print us off temp. cards so that we could get our inspection. We then went back to the inspector and Brian's car went first. Well they can't pass his car because the window tint is too dark, so he will have to remove the tint and then tint it with lighter tint before his car can be legal in TX. AWESOME! Luckily my car passed so they gave me my green slip and told us about a place down town that usually doesn't look at the tinting, so we decided to try it-
We got to the inspectors down town and got some 16 year old guy who didn't even inspect the car and gave us a green slip, which was great!! Now it was off the get the cars registered- Well we forgot our passports, which you have to have to register a car. So we went back home and got our passports and then drove back down town to the state office. We are half way through the paper work when she realizes that the inspector wrote a 5 on my slip instead of an S. She refused to take it and wouldn't let us change it on the paper because that would be tampering with a document.... So, we drove back to the inspector across town and had him fill out a whole new slip. At this point, the state office had closed and so we had to go home and wait for the next day to go back.
The next day, we go back and have our cars registered. This cost $400.00 not to mention the $50.00 for the inspections the day before. Keep in mind, that I bought a new car only a few weeks before we moved to Texas and already paid for all of this just a few weeks ago, because Oklahoma told me I wouldn't have to do this in TX.....
Anyway, we then go and drop off Brian's car at the Nissan dealership because he got a recall in the mail that needed to be fixed so we left his car and went to get our new licenses'. We get the the department of transportation and I go first. Well they can't process mine because I didn't bring my marriage license, so we go on to Brian's. Well, Brian's license has expired by now and so he has to retake his vision, written and driving test before they will let him have his license. They do not regret to inform us that if he does get pulled over in the mean time, he will get fined. So he takes his vision and written test while I go to the house to get a marriage license. When I get back, he had passed, but they can't do his driving test until next week- So, we get my slip of paper (you have to send off for your actual license) and go home, but not before paying $50.00.
As soon as we get home, we get a call from Nissan!!! yea! Brian's car has the check engine light on, so they cant do the recall until they do a diagnostic test and see what is wrong, that will be $82.00 to run the test. He says ok, because the recall problem needs to be fixed- (Nissan has found that in the make of Brian's car, people have randomly been driving down the road and the engine just stops causing major accidents, obviously....)
They call us back about 30 minutes later and tell us there is a problem, and to fix it will be $530.00 but just as soon as we do, they can fix the recall problem caused by Nissan- Needless to say we said no thanks we will come get our car- So after all this, poor Brian has a broken car with possible engine failure, no license, and an appointment to take a driving test next week. I don't know if it really is because Texan's hate Oklahoman's that bad or if we have been tested by God for patience....Either way, we are praying that this is somewhat over and laughing because God really has a sense of humor :)
Cost to move to Texas and have a vehicle: $500.00
Cost to have a problem fixed by Nissan because of Nissan: $530.00
Seeing your husband stand in line with 16 year olds to take a driving test: Priceless....
(not really priceless, it cost $24.00 of course :)

4 comments:

mgoff said...

Hope this week is better for you! Always great to talk to you. Hey, we went to Braums the other day and I asked Chris if we wanted to call you and ask you to come with....only problem is you are 5 1/2 hours away, that would have been one long trip to Braums! Miss you guys!

Kenzi said...

Oh my gosh! I feel so bad for you guys, that is a lot of work and not really any results, besides having to pay tons of money for all of that. It is pretty funny though that Brian had to retake all his driving test. Im sure everything will only get better, and at least all of this is happening and getting taken care of before Henry gets here,lol. Good luck with everything!

Unknown said...

J & B,

Mikel and I are in the middle of transferring our registrations to MN right now (we got our licenses a couple of weeks ago, which we also had to take written tests for and Mikel barely passed!). We were JUST TALKING last night about how anal Texas is about their cars, and I feel compelled to apologize on behalf of my state! Just reading your blog, we both wanted to scream!! I'm sorry!

Good luck on the driving test, Brian!

We miss you guys.

Unknown said...

I got in trouble. Apparently Mikel was NOT close to failing the written test -- he passed with a flying 88. The near-failure was when he was 16, taking it for the FIRST time. So let the record show that this is me clearing his name.

Did I mention I made a 96? :)

Love you guys!!