Inspection Sticker

Yesterday was March 31st. This wasn’t a secret and I wasn’t just getting out of a cave from a long hibernation or anything — so, I was aware of the date and that March was ending — duh! The surprise, though, came when I got in my car yesterday morning to head to work and, for some unknown reason, my inspection sticker caught my eye!!! The month punched out was MARCH and the year punched out was 2008!!! My brain flooded with thoughts of what this meant –OMG — my inspection was going to expire…..and I had to get to work…..and I had a lunch meeting, so couldn’t get out to take care of it at lunch…..and how many places are open late to take care of it after work……and, with all my luck, if I wait until lunch time on April 1st to take care of it, a cop will be sitting on 15/501 just waiting to give me a ticket…..and I didn’t need anything else to contribute to a gloomy, rainy week!

There must be some electronic device built into inspection stickers to send a subliminal message to “look at me – I need attention” if they aren’t changed out by the end of the month!! I never look at that thing – ever!!! But, just about every year I just happen to glance at it on the last day of the month it is due!!! What are the odds??? Once, a couple of years ago, I glanced down at it on the last day of the month it was due and noticed it was about to expire — but, unfortunately, I was on an interstate in PENNSYLVANIA on my way to NEW YORK for a couple weeks!!! Can’t get a NC inspection done in either of those states (or any other state between here and there)!!!! So, the entire trip I was nervous and worried about getting stopped somewhere between NC and NY with no valid state inspection!!! I was lucky and didn’t get stopped and I took care of it the day after I got back home, so all worked out………..but…………I work myself up into a frenzy about things like this!!! I need a system to remind me at the BEGINNING of the month, so I can take care of it before it ends up being the last day of the month and limited options!!!

As for this year’s inspection sticker……everything worked out beautifully!!!! An afternoon meeting got cancelled, so I was able to leave work on time and the absolutely fabulous guys at Kelly’s Mobil Station on Hawkins Ave (just past the Rt. 1 overpass going towards Pittsboro) were open and had time to take care of me!!! They are great — I have my inspection done there every year and when I need other work done, I pop in there — they’ll fix you up and you won’t have to take out a second mortgage on your home to pay for it, either!!!

Kelly’s saved the day — I can get in my car later this morning and drive to work without fear — I’m LEGAL!!!! WHEW!!!! A major issue solved and off my mind……………until next March 31st!!!

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